DaimlerChrysler's Minority Dealers Association Donates $35,000 to Iacocca Foundation for Its Continued Fight Against Diabetes

-- Donation proposed by Steve Rojas, California Dodge dealer

-- DaimlerChrysler and its 3,700 dealers have contributed nearly $5 million to the Iacocca Foundation to help with clinical diabetes treatment trials

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., May 4 -- The DaimlerChrysler Minority Dealers Association (DCMDA) today announced the donation of $35,000 to the Iacocca Foundation to help find a cure for diabetes through research and clinical trials.

The donation was made at the behest of dealer Steve Rojas, principal of Fullerton Dodge in Fullerton, Calif., whose son Michael Rojas recently succumbed to the disease after battling with its complications.

"The DCMDA is proud to make this donation to the Iacocca Foundation at the suggestion of Steve Rojas," said Jesse Greathouse, Owner - Cross Road Chrysler Jeep(R), Oklahoma City, Okla. "Lee Iacocca has been an iconic figure with Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge dealers for years. It was easy to say 'yes' when the opportunity arose to help Lee and the Iacocca Foundation in their mission to cure diabetes. We also make the donation in honor of Steve and his son Michael Rojas."

DCMDA dealers also contributed to the Iacocca Foundation -- along with 3,700 other Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge dealers nationwide -- as part of a campaign where $1 for each Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge vehicle sold was matched by DaimlerChrysler and donated to the Iacocca Foundation. That program ended in December 2006 and, collectively, contributed nearly $5 million for diabetes research and testing.

About DCMDA

The DaimlerChrysler Minority Dealer Association was founded in 1968 by Jesse J. Jones in Detroit with seven dealers and originally known as the Chrysler Black Dealers Association. The organization was developed to address the specific needs of minority dealers and minorities aspiring to enter the automotive retailing industry.

Today, DCMDA members rank among the most profitable dealerships in the automotive industry. The number of DaimlerChrysler minority dealerships has increased twelve-fold from the original seven in 1968.