Cerberus Takes Over Majority Interest In Chrysler Group and Related Financial Services Business for $7.4 Billion From DaimlerChrysler

- Affiliate of Cerberus to acquire 80.1% equity interest in new company Chrysler Holding LLC; DaimlerChrysler AG to retain 19.9%

- Obligations for pensions and healthcare costs to be retained by Chrysler companies

- Transaction expected to result in net cash outflow of $0.65 billion for DaimlerChrysler

- DaimlerChrysler’s net profit according to IFRS in 2007 to be reduced in a range of $4.1-5.4 billion

- Equity ratio of DaimlerChrysler’s industrial business is expected to be over 40% by the beginning of 2008

- Extraordinary Shareholders’ Meeting to decide on change of name to Daimler AG

- DaimlerChrysler CEO Dieter Zetsche on the realignment of DaimlerChrysler AG: “We will be the leading manufacturer of premium vehicles and a provider of premium services in every market segment we serve worldwide.”

- UAW President Ron Gettelfinger: “The transaction with Cerberus is in the best interests of our UAW members, the Chrysler Group and Daimler.”

- Cerberus Capital Management Chairman John Snow: “Cerberus believes in the inherent strength of U.S. manufacturing and of the U.S. auto industry. Most importantly, we believe in Chrysler.”

The Board of Management of DaimlerChrysler AG (stock-exchange abbreviation DCX) has today decided, subject to the approval of the Supervisory Board and the relevant authorities, on the future concept for the Chrysler Group and the realignment of DaimlerChrysler AG. Completion of the transaction is subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions, including the receipt of regulatory approvals and Cerberus financing arrangements.

Details will be explained at a press conference in Stuttgart today at 2 p.m. CET/8 a.m. EDT.

Structure of the transaction
— An affiliate of private equity firm Cerberus Capital Management, L.P.,
New York, will make a capital contribution of $7.4 billion in return
for an 80.1% equity interest in the future new company, Chrysler
Holding LLC. DaimlerChrysler will hold a 19.9% equity interest in the
new company. Chrysler Holding LLC will hold 100% each of the future
Chrysler Corporation LLC, which produces and sells Chrysler, Dodge and
Jeep(R) vehicles, and the future Chrysler Financial Services LLC, which
provides financial services for these vehicles in the NAFTA region.

— Of the total capital contribution of $7.4 billion, $5.0 billion will
flow into the industrial business (Chrysler Corporation LLC) and $1.05
billion will flow into the financial services business in order to
strengthen the equity base of both businesses. DaimlerChrysler will
receive the balance of $ 1.35 billion. In addition, DaimlerChrysler
will grant a loan of $0.4 billion to Chrysler Corporation LLC.

— According to the agreement, upon the closing of the transaction,
DaimlerChrysler will transfer the industrial business of the Chrysler
Group completely free of debt. Due to the Chrysler Group’s anticipated
negative cash flow until closing in connection with its restructuring
plan, the transaction will give rise to a cash outflow of $1.6 billion
for DaimlerChrysler. The overall net cash outflow resulting from the
transaction will therefore be $0.65 billion. In addition,
DaimlerChrysler will have to discharge long-term liabilities of the
Chrysler Group in connection with the transaction. This will result in
prepayment compensation of approximately $878 million, to be borne by
DaimlerChrysler. The usual transaction costs will also be incurred.

— The Chrysler Group’s financial obligations for pension and healthcare
benefits towards its employees and the employees of the financial
services business related to the Chrysler Group will be retained by the
Chrysler companies. The pension plans are significantly over-funded at
present.

Effects on key figures
The transaction will have the following effects on DaimlerChrysler AG:

— In total, current estimates indicate that net profit according to IFRS
in 2007 will be reduced by $4.1-5.4 billion.

— Due to the deconsolidation of the Chrysler companies and the resulting
reduction in the balance-sheet total, the equity ratio of
DaimlerChrysler’s industrial business is expected to increase to more
than 40% by the beginning of 2008.

— There will be no changes relating to the bonds issued and guaranteed by
DaimlerChrysler AG. In the financial services business for the
Chrysler, Jeep (R) and Dodge brands, Cerberus will take over the
financing previously provided by DaimlerChrysler AG.

— The 19.9% equity interest held by DaimlerChrysler AG in the new company
Chrysler Holding LLC will be included after closing at equity in the
Van, Bus, Others segment.

— The closing of the transaction is expected to take place in the third
quarter of 2007.

Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management of DaimlerChrysler AG and Head of the Mercedes Car Group: “We’re confident that we’ve found the solution that will create the greatest overall value - both for Daimler and Chrysler. With this transaction, we have created the right conditions for a new start for Chrysler and Daimler.”

Ron Gettelfinger, President of the United Autoworkers (UAW): “The transaction with Cerberus is in the best interests of our UAW members, the Chrysler Group and Daimler. We are pleased that this decision has been made, because our members and the management can now focus entirely on the development and manufacture of quality products for the future of the Chrysler Group.”

John W. Snow, Chairman of Cerberus Capital Management, L.P.: “We welcome Chrysler into the Cerberus family of companies and believe Cerberus will be a good home for Chrysler. Cerberus believes in the inherent strength of U.S. manufacturing and of the U.S. auto industry. Most importantly, we believe in Chrysler.”

Snow continued: “We would like to thank DaimlerChrysler for their good stewardship of this American icon over the last decade. We are aware that Chrysler faces significant challenges, but we are confident that they can and will be overcome. A private investment firm like Cerberus will provide management with the opportunity to focus on their long-term plans rather than the pressures of short-term earnings expectations.”

Business progress

In nearly ten years as DaimlerChrysler, a lot has been done to move the businesses forward. The synergies possible between Mercedes-Benz and Chrysler have been fully utilized. Additional potential for collaboration is limited between two businesses operating in such different market segments. The strong volatility and pressure on margins in the Chrysler Group’s North American core market have an increasingly negative impact on DaimlerChrysler’s overall profitability and share-price development.

The Chrysler Group has made substantial progress in recent years. For example, production hours per vehicle have fallen from 48 hours in 2001 to just over 30 at present. Quality has improved by more than 40% over the past six years. Since 2002, more than $10 billion has been invested in new production facilities and technologies. And with 34 new models since 2001, Chrysler has one of the youngest product lines in the industry.

Zetsche: “As a result, Chrysler today is structurally more sound than its North American based competitors. And with Cerberus as a partner, Chrysler will have the best chances of utilizing its full potential.”

Ongoing collaboration

Existing projects with the Mercedes Car Group will be continued, for example in the development of conventional and alternative drive systems, purchasing, and sales and financial services outside the NAFTA region. Furthermore, a Joint Automotive Council will be established in which representatives of both sides will assess and decide on the potential of new and current projects. The Council will be led by board-level members from each company.

Zetsche: “We very much look forward to our continued cooperation as business partners, as we want to continue to reap the mutual benefits of working together. That’s one of the reasons why we’re retaining a 19.9% equity position in Chrysler.”

New Daimler AG

Due to the new corporate structure, the name of DaimlerChrysler AG is to be changed to Daimler AG. A decision on this is to be taken by the shareholders at an Extraordinary Shareholders’ Meeting probably in fall 2007.

The Board of Management of the new company will be reduced to six members. Tom LaSorda, Eric Ridenour and Tom Sidlik will leave the Board of Management with the Group’s sincere thanks.

There will no longer be a separate board position for procurement in the new Daimler AG. In the future, all procurement activities will be directly coordinated between the divisions. Within the Board of Management, Bodo Uebber will additionally assume overall responsibility for procurement.

The leadership teams of the Mercedes Car Group, the Truck Group and Financial Services will remain unchanged, as will the teams in the vans and buses businesses.

Zetsche: “We’ve done our homework in our corporate functions and in all of our divisions. As a result of our strategic review, we have a well-defined roadmap to lead us into a good future.”

The Mercedes Car Group will generate a return on sales of at least 7% this year, with higher rates to follow in the coming years.

The Truck Group will achieve an average return on sales of 7% over the cycle as of 2008. This represents a return on net assets of approximately 30%.

DaimlerChrysler is also a world leader and profitability benchmark for buses. And in the vans business, which is performing very well, the new Sprinter will continue the success story of its predecessor.

The Financial Services division aims to earn a return on equity of more than 14%.

Growth perspectives

Zetsche: “We have a strong starting position. We have an above-average financial power. And our future prospects are promising.” The Group has defined the following main areas for continued growth:

— Further expansion in the core business, which means in the traditional
segments that are the most profitable and have the highest growth
rates, as well as exploiting new market opportunities on a regional
basis.
— Continued development of innovative, customer-oriented and tailor-made
services and activities, pursuing opportunities both up and down the
value chain.
— Strengthening leadership in sustainable, responsible and
environmentally friendly technologies.

By focusing on these three areas, Daimler’s full potential is to be exploited and enterprise value is to be increased further through profitable and sustainable growth. Daimler intends to do this on its own, while continuing to benefit from opportunities of scale with Chrysler.

Zetsche on Daimler’s goals: “We will be the leading manufacturer of premium products and a provider of premium services in every market segment we serve worldwide. And we will pursue our commitment to excellence based on a common culture, a great heritage of innovation and pioneering achievements and - with Mercedes-Benz - the strongest automotive brand in the world.

Cerberus Capital Management, L.P., New York, is one of the largest private investment firms in the world, with approximately $23.5 billion under management in funds and accounts. Founded in 1992, Cerberus currently has significant investments in more than 50 companies that, in aggregate, generate more than $60 billion in annual revenues worldwide.

For the reader’s convenience, the financial information has been translated from euros into US dollars at an assumed rate of EUR1 = $1.35. The convenience translation does not mean that the euro amounts actually represent the corresponding dollar amounts stated or that they could be converted into dollars at the assumed rate.

This document contains forward-looking statements that reflect our current views about future events, including, among others, the pendency and consummation of the transaction with Cerberus Capital Management, L.P. regarding Chrysler Group. The words “anticipate,” “assume,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “project,” “should” and similar expressions are used to identify forward-looking statements. These statements are subject to many risks and uncertainties, including an economic downturn or slow economic growth, especially in Europe or North America; changes in currency exchange rates and interest rates; introduction of competing products and possible lack of acceptance of our products or services; competitive pressures which may limit our ability to reduce sales incentives and raise prices; price increases in fuel, raw materials, and precious metals; disruption of production or delivery of new vehicles due to shortages of materials, labor strikes, or supplier insolvencies; a decline in resale prices of used vehicles; our ability to close the transaction with Cerberus Capital Management, L.P., regarding Chrysler Group; the ability of the Chrysler Group to implement successfully its Recovery and Transformation Plan; the business outlook for our Truck Group, which may experience a significant decline in demand as a result of accelerated purchases in 2006 made in advance of the effectiveness of new emission regulations; effective implementation of cost reduction and efficiency optimization programs, including our new management model; the business outlook of our equity investee EADS, including the financial effects of delays in and potentially lower volume of future aircraft deliveries; changes in laws, regulations and government policies, particularly those relating to vehicle emissions, fuel economy and safety, the resolution of pending governmental investigations and the outcome of pending or threatened future legal proceedings; and other risks and uncertainties, some of which we describe under the heading “Risk Report” in DaimlerChrysler’s most recent Annual Report and under the headings “Risk Factors” and “Legal Proceedings” in DaimlerChrysler’s most recent Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. If any of these risks and uncertainties materialize, or if the assumptions underlying any of our forward-looking statements prove incorrect, then our actual results may be materially different from those we express or imply by such statements. We do not intend or assume any obligation to update these forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made.

Roar Returns To River July 13-15 for “2007 Chrysler Jeep Superstores Detroit APBA ‘Gold Cup’ Race” With Ulta-High Speed Boats

Oldest Motor Sports Trophy In World Draws Unlimited Hydroplane Boats Covering A Football Field In Less Than A Second At 200 MPH With 3,000 HP

DETROIT, March 6 — The “Super Bowl” of powerboat racing has been secured for the weekend of July 13-15, 2007 on the Detroit River with the title sponsorship announcement today (Tuesday) by the Chrysler Jeep Superstores.

The announcement was made by Jim Schebil, president, Chrysler Jeep Superstores Advertising Association of Southeastern Michigan.

This is the oldest motor sports trophy in the world and draws the fastest power boats in the world to the Detroit River as the world watches the best drivers in the world fight for the Gold Cup.

The unlimited hydroplane boats skim on top of the water covering a football field in less than one second at more than 200 MPH with 3,000 horsepower engines.

Details of the race will be announced in the spring by Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, Schebil and Detroit River Regatta Association (DRRA) officials, according to Schebil.

The deep, fast waters of the Detroit River are universally recognized in power boat racing as the most challenging water race course in the world. These boats are really flying wings that barely touch the water at 200 MPH on a race course that changes every second under the boat.

The Gold Cup was originally crafted by artisans at Tiffany & Co. in 1901 and was totally restored and refurbished in 2004.

The DRRA, a voluntary association of several hundred racing enthusiasts, produces the family-friendly party on the river with the Gold Cup races during three days of festival events. For more information call 586-774-0980 or log on to: www.gold-cup.com.

The Chrysler Jeep Superstores Advertising Association is made up of the 39 independently owned Chrysler Jeep Superstores in Southeastern Michigan from Monroe to Fowlerville and from Clinton to Port Huron. Web site: www.chryslerjeepsuperstores.com.

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Jan. 31 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — DaimlerChrysler Remarketing has named Greensboro Auto Auction in Greensboro, N.C., as Auction of the Year. This is the third time in the last five years that Greensboro Auto Auction has been selected by DaimlerChrysler Remarketing as its top- performing auction.

Greensboro Auto Auction, one of 24 DaimlerChrysler affiliated auctions, was recognized for providing the highest residual values, quality and customer service to DaimlerChrysler and its Chrysler, Jeep(R) and Dodge dealers in 2006.

“Since becoming a DaimlerChrysler affiliated auction in 1988, Greensboro Auto Auction has grown to be one of our largest and best-performing auctions in the nation, and securing this award in three of the last five years demonstrates that,” said Peter Grady, Director - DaimlerChrysler Motors Remarketing. “We greatly appreciate their continued commitment to providing the highest quality vehicles in support of our dealers’ retail sales efforts.”

Greensboro Auto Auction features a 24-lane facility situated on 235 acres. The auction sold 19,350 used Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge vehicles in 2006 and is also a member of the National and Southern Auto Auction Association.

DaimlerChrysler Remarketing sells vehicles to all Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge dealers in the U.S., via 24 affiliated auctions throughout the U.S.

…to which I have to say, BFD.

So this announcement is meant to show that DC is thankful to the auction that made it the most money and moved the most units? They “awarded” them what? Seems to me you’re # 1 based on performance, so they moved the most units at the best profits for DC - yippee…all that means is more buyers ended up paying more for used vehicles, IMO.

Too bad - the last Libby CRD I test drove was hardly worth the price tag - and I’m a diesel fan & a Jeep guy. The plastic was cheap, the overall interior design was somehow lacking. Everything was there, but it was like it was molded as one giant piece, cut up and slipped into place.

Oh well - the good news is announcements like this mean there’s still some profits rolling in at DC - better than can be said for GM and Ford these days…

MEDFORD, Ore., Jan. 30 /PRNewswire/ — For the cost of just one $5 ticket, one lucky participant can win a brand new PT Cruiser from Chrysler Jeep Dodge of Medford. However, five area high schools are already winners.

Chrysler Jeep Dodge of Medford teamed up with Kids Unlimited for the 2nd annual Kids Unlimited-Lithia Give-Away. The partnering organizations began selling the $5 tickets early this year and will continue until the April 7 Grand Prize drawing. A full ninety percent of the proceeds will be distributed among North Medford, South Medford, Crater, Phoenix and Eagle Point High Schools. The remaining ten percent will go to support Kids Unlimited.

“At Lithia Motors we put a premium on giving back to the community,” said Rich Summers, General Manager of Chrysler Jeep Dodge of Medford. “And as residents of the Medford area we want do everything possible to support our schools and teachers in doing their invaluable work, so this program is a natural for us.”

“Last year we exceeded our goal and raised $29,000 for the schools. This year we hope to blow by that number and provide an even greater return,” said Summers. “With the experience and expertise of the Kids Unlimited team, as well as the donated air time and promotional efforts provided by the Radio Medford Group and Charter Communication, we think we can hit even our most lofty goals.”

“The strength of our community is built upon the quality of the youth we develop through our schools, our extra-curricular activities, our sports and our youth enrichment activities,” said Jane McAlvage, Project Manager with Kids Unlimited. “The Kids Unlimited-Lithia Give-Away is a great opportunity to support these programs and we’re counting on the community to come through for us again with strong ticket purchases.”

Funds raised by the Kids Unlimited-Lithia Give-Away are used to support high school programs that link students with quality leadership and enrichment activities.

For more on the program or our dealership, visit us on the web at www.lithiadodge.com.

For more information on Kids Unlimited’s youth programs, visit www.kidsunlimitedoforegon.org.

DaimlerChrysler is the Only Manufacturer Building and Testing Plug-in Hybrid Vehicles with Lithium-Ion Battery Technology in Customer Fleets

- Lithium-ion battery research will accelerate future hybrid development

- DaimlerChrysler investigates plug-in technology with test fleet

- Dodge Sprinter Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) can drive up to 20 real-world miles on electric-only power

- Industry first PHEV combined with diesel for maximum fuel efficiency

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Jan. 19 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — More than 20 Dodge Sprinter Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEV) will be placed in the Untied States between now and the first quarter of 2008 as part of a test fleet program. Four of the vehicles are already in operation with customers. DaimlerChrysler is the only auto manufacturer currently evaluating a variety of plug-in hybrid powertrain configurations under customer-operation conditions in real-world service.

Battery development is one of the keys to the success of hybrid and fuel cell transportation. Lithium ion holds the greatest promise for battery technology. A number of the Dodge Sprinter PHEVs are equipped with lithium ion batteries which are about half the weight and have much greater storage capacities when compared to nickel-metal hydride batteries. The vehicles will yield technical information through real world driving conditions about lifetime, performance and cost of batteries.

“The future of plug-in hybrid technology rests on a number of improvements, the most significant being batteries,” said Dr. Andreas Truckenbrodt, Executive Director - DaimlerChrysler Hybrid Programs. “The battery systems in the PHEV Sprinter continue to provide valuable data on the possibilities with lithium-ion technology.”

Plug-in technology lends itself to commercial applications in which the vehicle returns to base after each shift to be plugged into the power grid but also works well in urban traffic situations for daily commuters.

Based on Mercedes-Benz commercial vehicle technology, the Dodge Sprinter PHEV has the ability to drive up to 20 miles on electric-only power. It accomplishes this with a switch on the dashboard giving the operator the ability to manually switch between modes as needed, or automatically by the vehicle control system. Two different combustion engines are being offered in the PHEV - diesel or gasoline. The diesel version will yield the highest fuel economy benefit and is the first fleet test of a diesel plug-in hybrid system.

Plug-in hybrid technology is part of DaimlerChrysler’s advanced propulsion technology umbrella, which also includes exceptionally efficient gasoline engines, advanced diesel technology, ethanol flex-fuel and zero-emission fuel cell vehicles.

Source: Chrysler Group

CONTACT: Nick Cappa, +1-248-512-4266, or nc503@dcx.com, or Todd Goyer,
+1-248-512-0041, or trg32@dcx.com, both of Chrysler Group

AUBURN HILLS — Chrysler Group plans to offer more small-engine versions of its cars and trucks as its U.S. sales decline amid rising fuel prices, the unit’s chief executive officer said Friday.

The automaker plans two new models with standard four-cylinder engines by the end of 2006, CEO Tom LaSorda said in an interview at the unit’s headquarters in Auburn Hills. Chrysler has four such vehicles now. It also may add four-cylinder versions of models that now use only larger engines.

Chrysler’s sales declines have let Toyota Motor Corp. move past it in the past two months for the No. 3 rank in the U.S.

Toyota has benefited from a consumer shift to cars from sport-utility vehicles, minivans and pickup trucks as average gasoline prices stay near $3 a gallon. Chrysler, like U.S rivals General Motors Corp. and Ford Motor Co., depends more on light-truck sales than Asia-based automakers.

“We’ve seen a shift, and the industry has seen, from trucks into cars, and we haven’t been very good at talking about fuel economy,” said LaSorda, 51.

The automaker may also add a subcompact to compete with new models such as Toyota’s Yaris, LaSorda said. He didn’t give details of which vehicles that now offer only six- or eight-cylinder engines may get four-cylinder versions.

Chrysler’s U.S. sales fell 2.5 percent this year through May, after it was the only U.S.-based automaker to post annual increases in 2004 and 2005. It plans to introduce nine new models in this year’s second half and began meetings this week with U.S. dealers to outline a new marketing strategy.

Offering more small-engine vehicles is part of Chrysler’s efforts to boost sales without having to resort to more incentives such as rebates and discount loans.

LaSorda declined to give details of the new marketing strategy. It comes after Chrysler said this week that it would revamp its sales operations when Senior Vice President Gary Dilts and Vice President Raymond Fisher retire next month. Steven Landry, now head of DaimlerChrysler Canada, and Michael Manley will head the reorganized sales and field operations.

“We’ll come out in early July and surprise the marketplace,” LaSorda said. Asked if the strategy will include additional sales incentives, he said, “I wouldn’t see any major shifts in incentives between now and the end of the year.”

David Healy, a Burnham Securities analyst in Sierra Vista, Arizona, said he expects Chrysler to be the first to revive the employee-discount programs offered by U.S. automakers last year, or to provide no-interest financing on all cars and trucks.

“They may have to at least go with zero interest across the board,” he said. “They’ve got a lot of vehicles that have been on dealer lots a long time and they have to move them.”

Chrysler has used no-interest loans on some vehicles, as well as $1,000 cash for dealers on cars and trucks that have sat on their lots since before Dec. 31. The dealer program ends this month.

As much as 10 percent of the inventory on Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge dealers’ lots may be vehicles they’ve had since the end of 2005, according to David Lucas, an analyst at Autodata Corp. in Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey.

Sales of the four-cylinder Dodge Caliber small car, introduced in late February, doubled to 12,422 in May from March, its first full month on the market.

Chrysler in the second half is slated to add the Jeep Compass and Jeep Patriot small SUVs. Both have Chrysler’s new four-cylinder World Engine, made in a new joint-venture plant in Dundee that can make 840,000 engines a year.

Chrysler Group to Add Third Shift to Belvidere (Ill.) Assembly Plant

Two New Shifts, Three New Vehicles for Illinois Plant

* Third shift adds approximately 1,000 new jobs in July
* New workplace organization fosters creativity, empowers assembly line operators
* New employees will add to the $188 million in annual wages in the state

Auburn Hills, Mich., May 10, 2006 -

The Chrysler Group today announced that manufacturing operations at its Belvidere (Ill.) Assembly Plant will be expanded to include a third work shift beginning in July 2006. The new shift will add approximately 1,000 new jobs to the 2,650-employee facility. While some of the jobs will be filled with current Chrysler Group employees from other facilities, a majority of the jobs are expected to be filled with new hires.

The Belvidere plant started building the all-new 2007 Dodge Caliber in January 2006 and will begin production of the all-new Jeep� Compass this month. Production of the all-new 2007 Jeep Patriot will begin later this year. The plant is flexible enough to vary the production mix between the three products anywhere from 0 to 100 percent of each model.

“We have seen a very positive initial consumer response to the Dodge Caliber and we anticipate a similar reception for the Jeep Compass and Patriot,” said Tom LaSorda, President and Chief Executive Officer � Chrysler Group. “We have already demonstrated how a flexible, highly productive workforce producing high-quality vehicles can bring consumers more of the vehicles they desire in today’s competitive market. That same formula is working at Belvidere.”

Belvidere, the former Dodge Neon plant, added its second shift in March. The employees are working under a new organizational model designed to foster greater creativity and innovation by providing greater support and authority to assembly line operators. The plant was retooled to build the three new models with a $419 million investment in late 2005.

“It is quite a challenge to launch three new models and two new shifts but the Belvidere team is taking on that challenge,” said Kurt Kavajecz, Plant Manager � Belvidere Assembly Plant. “We are honored to have been selected to implement many new manufacturing processes and to be the home of these great products.”

The Chrysler Group is the city of Belvidere’s largest employer and has a significant impact on the community with 2,885 employees throughout Illinois who generate $188 million in annual wages. The 3.6 million square-foot Belvidere plant currently has 2,650 employees represented by UAW Locals 1268 and 1761. The plant was the productivity leader in its segment according to the Harbour Report North America 2005.

Editor’s Note: Job candidates interested in working at the Belvidere Assembly Plants should apply electronically at www.dcchourlyjobs.com. Applicants are asked not to go to the plant in person or call the plant directly. To be considered, applicants must have a high school diploma or equivalent (GED). Candidates will be required to complete a multi-step qualification process and will be contacted after they have applied online.

For Earth Day, DaimlerChrysler Shows Commitment to Renewable Fuels
. DaimlerChrysler has sold nearly 1.5 million flexible fuel vehicles capable of running on E85
. DaimlerChrysler has approved use of 5 percent biodiesel in the diesel-powered Jeep Liberty CRD
. Beginning with the 2007 model year, DaimlerChrysler has approved use of 20 percent biodiesel in the Dodge Ram Heavy-Duty diesel pickup trucks operated by government, military and commercial fleets

Auburn Hills, Mich., Apr 19, 2006 -

DaimlerChrysler offers diesel and flexible fuel vehicles that can run on clean, renewable, American-made alternative fuels.

Renewable fuels, including ethanol made from corn and biodiesel made primarily from soybeans, help to:

- Reduce tailpipe emissions of pollutants
- Reduce emissions of carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas
- Reduce dependence on oil
- Support the nation’s agricultural economy

Since 1998, DaimlerChrysler has sold nearly 1.5 million flexible fuel vehicles (FFVs) designed to run on E85 fuel, a fuel made up of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent conventional gasoline.

Beginning with the 2008 model year, DC will produce nearly 500,000 FFVs per year for sale in the United States.

Current vehicles capable of running on E85 fuel are:

- Dodge Stratus/Chrysler Sebring with the 2.7-liter engine
- Dodge Caravan/Grand Caravan with the 3.3-liter engine
- Dodge Durango and Dodge Ram 1500 with the 4.7-liter engine

DaimlerChrysler is also promoting use of biodiesel, a fuel made from the vegetable oils from crops such as soybeans.

Biodiesel can replace conventional diesel fuel, reducing dependence on oil. The Jeep Liberty CRD diesel-powered SUV is filled with B5 (5 percent biodiesel) fuel at the assembly plant in Toledo, Ohio, and B5 is approved for use by all Jeep Liberty diesel customers.

Beginning with the 2007 model year, the company will approve use of B20 (20 percent biodiesel) fuel in Dodge Ram Heavy-Duty diesel pickup trucks operated by government, military and commercial fleets. The company is working with industry partners to establish a national standard that would enable all diesel vehicle owners to use B20 fuel.

“Biofuels are proof that at least part of the solution to our energy, environmental and national security issues can be homegrown,” said Tom LaSorda, President and CEO - Chrysler Group.

This is good news folks - this is the way of the future, so the automakers might as well get on board now and start the work of enabling end users the choice and ability.

One note of caution to diesel owners:

If you are not currently using biodiesel, be very careful if you try to switch over. Biodiesel has some properties which make it very much like a solvent.

Over time, your regular diesel fuel leaves deposits in the fuel system. Biodiesel can loosen these, flush them out and lead to a non-running engine due to clogged fuel lines and/or filters. They typical rememdy is to flush the fuel tank out, purge the lines and re-fill the tank - not cheap or quick.

If you’re already using biodiesel, you can skip the worrying and know your lines are clean.