DaimlerChrysler Employees Say 'Thank You' to Senator Herbert Kohl

KENOSHA, Wis., April 3 -- Wisconsin Senator Herbert Kohl will receive a warm welcome and a heartfelt thank you from DaimlerChrysler employees today when he visits the Kenosha Engine Plant (1:45 PM - 3:00 PM). Kohl will tour the facility and meet with plant management and United Auto Worker representatives.

In March, Senator Kohl and 61 other Senators voted for the Levin-Bond Amendment to the Senate Energy Bill that mandates the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to review increases in Corporate Average Fuel Economy, while taking into account affects on consumer safety and U.S. jobs. DaimlerChrysler and the U.A.W. support the Levin-Bond Amendment.

According to Bob Hollingsworth, Kenosha Engine Plant Manager, ``Some members of the Senate called for radical and extreme increases in CAFE standards that would have posed a serious threat to automotive manufacturing jobs, but Senator Kohl was a voice of reason. We want to thank him for his vote and let him know that we appreciate his support here at Kenosha Engine.''

During the meeting with Senator Kohl, John Drew, U.A.W. President Local 72 will express the appreciation of the plant's UAW members. ``On behalf of our members at the Kenosha Engine Plant, we want to thank Senator Kohl for supporting this plant, the U.A.W., DaimlerChrysler and the entire auto industry,'' said Drew. ``We work hard here every day to produce high quality engines and we appreciate the Senator's support.''

Senator Russ Feingold and Representative Paul Ryan, who also represent the Kenosha Engine Plant, joined Senator Kohl in directing NHTSA to review increases in CAFE standards.

According to DaimlerChrysler Senior Vice President Rob Liberatore, the Levin-Bond Amendment provides a balanced approach to improving the fuel economy of vehicles in the United States. ``DaimlerChrysler expects and is planning for increases in our corporate average fuel economy in the coming years and commits to working with NHTSA to do so in a way that does not compromise safety or jobs,'' he said.

DaimlerChrysler's Kenosha Engine Plant provides powertrains for the Dodge Intrepid and Stratus, the Chrysler Concord and Sebring, the Jeep® Grand Cherokee and Wrangler, and in the coming years the Chrysler Pacifica sports tourer. The plant is currently undergoing a $624 Million 500,000 square foot expansion.