Twelve DaimlerChrysler Women Executives Join the 2005 Class of Automotive News 100 Leading Women in the North American Auto Industry

* Four of the 12 women are second-time honorees * Representation of women executives at Chrysler Group has increased by 75 percent since 1999 * Automotive News recognized 2005 honorees at a gala dinner in Detroit, Mich.

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Sept. 29 -- Twelve DaimlerChrysler executives have been named to the list of 100 Leading Women in the North American Auto Industry as selected by Automotive News. The chosen 12 are among an elite group of influential female executives that are highlighted in the Sept. 26th issue of Automotive News and were honored at a gala dinner last evening in Detroit, Mich.

The award recognizes women who are leaders in the automotive field, make major decisions and have significant influence at their companies. The first listing of the industry's top women executives was released in September 2000.

"The Chrysler Group congratulates this exemplary group of women and is honored to have them represent the Company on Automotive News' list celebrating the industry's finest," said Eric Ridenour, Chrysler Group Chief Operating Officer and co-chair of the Chrysler Group Diversity Council. "We are committed to developing, supporting and retaining a diverse group of executives and this commitment has resulted in a 75 percent increase in the representation of female executives at the Chrysler Group since 1999."

Nearly 19 percent of executives at the Chrysler Group are women and 14 percent of this group are women of color. The Chrysler Group's 12 honorees include:

  *  Jan Bertsch - Vice President, Sales and Marketing Finance
  *  Sandra Bouckley - Plant Manager, Pilot Process Verification Center,
     Conner Avenue Assembly Plant and Sterling Heights Vehicle Test Center
  *  Theodora Casasanta - Director, Proactive Quality Systems, Corporate
     Quality
  *  Christine Cortez - Senior Vice President, Global Service and Parts*
  *  Margaret Hackstedde - Director, Product Design, Color and Trim Design
  *  Kim Harris Jones - Vice President, Product Finance
  *  Deb Morrissett - Vice President, Regulatory Affairs
  *  Nancy Rae - Senior Vice President, Human Resources*
  *  Julie Roehm - Director, Chrysler/Jeep(R)/Dodge Communications
  *  Cynthia Sidoti - Director, Paint and Energy Management
  *  Karenann Terrell - Vice President and Chief Information Officer,
     Chrysler Group and Mercedes-Benz NAFTA - DaimlerChrysler Corporation*
  *  Sue Unger - Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer -
     DaimlerChrysler AG*

  *Second-time honorees

DaimlerChrysler was a proud sponsor of the gala dinner at the Marriott Renaissance Center to honor the 2005 class of Automotive News 100 Leading Women in the North American Auto Industry. A portion of the event's proceeds will be contributed to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.

DaimlerChrysler's Commitment to Diversity

As one of the largest automakers in the world, DaimlerChrysler is committed to fostering diversity practices. The Company has established six employee resource groups that focus on helping employees develop their potential, while inspiring and nurturing careers and professional development. DaimlerChrysler's diversity initiatives have been recognized by several leading organizations, including being named one of Working Mother magazine's "100 Best Companies" eight times.

DaimlerChrysler has also been honored as "Corporation of the Year" by the National Minority Supplier Development Council three times and by the Michigan Minority Business Development Council four times. In 2005, Black Enterprise magazine named DaimlerChrysler one of the "30 Best Companies for Diversity." LATINA Style awarded the company the "2004 LATINA Style 50" and the Hispanic Publishing Group named DaimlerChrysler among Hispanic Magazine's "Corporate 100 List" for 2005.

Since 1983, DaimlerChrysler has been a leader in supporting minority business enterprises. Last year, DaimlerChrysler sourced about 12 percent -- or $3.4 billion -- of its total supplier spending from minority-owned suppliers.