Schrempp to leave DaimlerChrysler end 2005
Zetsche takes Chairmanship beginning of 2006

Motion Trends, PR, 28 July 2005.

DaimlerChrysler Supervisory Board announced today the following changes to the company’s top management:

·    Prof. Jürgen E. Schrempp (60) to leave the company on December 31, 2005

·    Dr. Dieter Zetsche (52) new Chairman of the Board of Management, effective January 1, 2006

·    Thomas W. LaSorda (51) to head Chrysler Group, as of January 1, 2006

·    Eric Ridenour (47) new Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Chrysler Group.

Prof. Jürgen E. Schrempp, Chairman of the Board of Management of DaimlerChrysler AG, will leave the company after 44 years of service at the end of 2005. These years were distinguished by his leadership of major group interests in South Africa, the United States, and Germany as well as 17 consecutive years in chairmanship positions at both Daimler-Benz Aerospace (DASA) from 1988 to 1995, and Daimler-Benz AG, which later became DaimlerChrysler AG, from 1995 to the present day.

Dr. Dieter Zetsche, head of the Chrysler group, will become Chairman of the Board of Management of DaimlerChrysler AG, effective January 1, 2006, for a period of five years.

As successor to Dr. Zetsche, Tom LaSorda, the present Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Chrysler Group, will lead that division from January 1, 2006. He has also been appointed a full member of DaimlerChrysler’s Board of Management with immediate effect.

Eric Ridenour is promoted to the position of Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the Chrysler Group that will be vacated by Tom LaSorda, effective January 1, 2006. His appointment, which also carries membership of the Board of Management, is for a period of three years.

“The Supervisory Board and Prof. Schrempp are in full agreement that the end of the year 2005 is the optimal time for a change in the leadership of the company,” said Hilmar Kopper, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of DaimlerChrysler. “The decisions of the Supervisory Board have been made unanimously after a thorough process.”

DaimlerChrysler’s concentration on its global automotive business is now firmly established. The company’s strategy is clearly defined. Its product and brand range, combined with its corporate presence in some 200 countries, have created the company’s unique position in the markets.

EADS/Airbus has developed into an operation that sets the standard for successful European businesses.

Moreover, the financial results of the second quarter of 2005 indicate that DaimlerChrysler continues to develop positively.

The Chrysler Group has, through its entire value chain, registered a substantial improvement. The Commercial Vehicle Division now operates at historic record levels. In addition, Financial Services is developing positively at a high level.

The Mercedes-Benz Car Group reached its targeted turning point in profitability on schedule during the second quarter of this year. As a consequence of the new models and the efficiency improving actions taken as part of the CORE efficiency program the, Group anticipates continuous earnings improvements.

“The balance sheet is sound and cash-flow development is stable. The 2005 profit forecast for the DaimlerChrysler group remains uchanged, and significant earnings improvements are to be expected as of the year 2006”, added Kopper.