DaimlerChrysler Chairman Dieter Zetsche to Open Washington Auto Show

Top Name in Auto Industry Headlines D.C. Show

WASHINGTON, Dec. 14 -- In a joint statement, The Washington Area New Automobile Dealers Association (WANADA) and the Washington Automotive Press Association (WAPA) today announced that Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management of DaimlerChrysler AG and the Head of Mercedes Car Group, will deliver the keynote address to the Washington Auto Show during International Media Day on Jan. 23, 2007 at the Washington Convention Center.

Dr. Zetsche is expected to address the latest environmental and technological advances, as well as the ongoing challenges and opportunities in the global auto industry. His speech is scheduled for 9:00 a.m., following a media breakfast sponsored by WANADA and WAPA.

"We are proud to host Dr. Zetsche, not only an automotive icon, but a man listed among TIME Magazine's most influential people this year," said George Doetsch, show chairman. Marc Stertz, president of WAPA, added, "On behalf of the Washington automotive press corps, we look forward to welcoming an automotive leader of his stature."

Dr. Zetsche's career began in the research department of the then Daimler- Benz AG in 1976. Since that time he has risen through the Company's engineering and management ranks in both the Commercial Vehicles and Passenger Cars business units with positions in Germany, Brazil, Argentina and the United States. From 2000 to 2005, he served as CEO and President of the Chrysler Group. Dr. Zetsche has been a member of the Board of Management of DaimlerChrysler AG since 1998.

DaimlerChrysler is one of the world's leading automotive companies. Its passenger car brands include Mercedes-Benz, Maybach, Chrysler, Jeep(R), Dodge and smart. Commercial vehicles are produced under Dodge, Mercedes-Benz, Freightliner, Sterling, Western Star, Setra, Thomas Built Buses and Orion. It offers financial and other services through DaimlerChrysler Financial Services. With 360,000 employees worldwide, DaimlerChrysler achieved revenues of $177 billion in 2005.

After the November 1998 merger of Daimler-Benz, Europe's largest industrial company, and Chrysler Corporation, one of America's most innovative automotive companies, DaimlerChrysler today has a global workforce, a global shareholder base, a global brand awareness and a global outlook with dual headquarters in Auburn Hills, Michigan, and Stuttgart, Germany.

The 2007 Washington Auto Show: "Presenting Advanced Technologies" will bring more than 700 new cars, trucks, mini-vans and sport utility vehicles from over 42 domestic and import automakers to the Washington Convention Center from Jan. 24 - 28. For auto show operating hours, ticket information and "e-tickets," visit the Washington Auto Show online at http://www.washingtonautoshow.com/ or contact WANADA at 1-866-WASH-AUTO.

Now entering its 90th year of existence, WANADA represents dealerships throughout the Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia area.