The Car Connection Details Proposed Ford/Daimler-Benz Merger

26 October 1998

    DETROIT, Oct. 24 -- The following statement was released
today by The Car Connection:

    The Daimler-Benz/Chrysler merger easily weighs in as the blockbuster story
of 1998, but automotive history might have turned out quite differently if a
proposed merger between Daimler and Ford Motor Company got off the ground.
    In a story broken on-line exclusively by http://www.thecarconnection.com
-- and in print by INVESTOR'S BUSINESS DAILY and THE CLEVELAND PLAIN DEALER --
Ford pitched a merger plan of its own to Daimler-Benz, unaware of the already
ongoing talks between the German automaker and Chrysler.
    Ford Chairman Alex Trotman, reluctant to discuss details, acknowledges the
talks, then suggests "We didn't get very serious."  But Juergen Hubbert,
Daimler Supervisory Board Member and a key lieutenant to DB Chairman Juergen
Schrempp, insists negotiations got very serious and reached a moderately
advanced stage before falling apart.  What cooled the deal?
    The Car Connection will have the answer in a special edition posting
Saturday morning at 9:00 a.m. Eastern time.
    And return to http://www.thecarconnection.com on Monday for additional
news-making reports on the battle of the new S-Cars.  Call them sumptuous and
sophisticated, you'll find news, reviews and photos of the all-new Jaguar
S-Type and the Mercedes-Benz S-Class.  The regular edition of The Car
Connection posts on-line Monday, October 26, at 9:00 a.m. Eastern time.
    The Car Connection, http://www.thecarconnection.com, is the nation's
premier automotive "e-zine."  Turn to it for the latest news, reviews, and
often controversial reviews.  You'll find driving tips from racing instructor
Bob Bondurant, helpful maintenance advice from On-Site Mechanic Bob Weber, and
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