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DaimlerChrysler Launches Five Star Market Center

17 August 2000

Internet Marketplace for Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge Dealers

    ORLANDO, Fla. - DaimlerChrysler Corporation has launched a nationwide 
Internet-based marketplace, called Five Star Market Center, that gives its 
Chrysler, Jeep(R) and Dodge dealers the opportunity to purchase products and 
commodities at volume discount prices.

    After a successful pilot program in Indianapolis that began in September
1999, the Five Star Market Center is now being offered to dealers nationwide.
The program was introduced to dealers this week in Orlando at the company's
annual dealer convention.

    Five Star Market Center, when fully operational, has the potential to save
the Dodge, Chrysler and Jeep dealer body as a whole as much as a billion
dollars a year, or about $500 per vehicle in fixed business costs.

    While the concept is not new -- aggregating the buying power of many to
achieve a lower individual price -- Five Star Market Center is the first of
its kind in the automobile industry to combine the strength of about 4500
dealers nationwide via the Internet.  Products and commodities in the initial
phase include uniforms, telecom services, fuel, office supplies and overnight
package delivery.

    "The Five Star Market Center is a 'dot-com' based in the real world," said
James P. Holden, President and CEO of DaimlerChrysler Corporation.  "It's
focused on improving our core business by adding value through a combination
of two of our greatest strengths -- the best dealer relations and the best
supplier relations in the industry."

    The Five Star Market Center is initially being launched with six strategic
partners: ARAMARK for uniform services, MCI WorldCom for telecom services,
Shell, Speedway/SuperAmerica and Texaco for fuel, Staples for office supplies
and UPS for package delivery services.

    "At a time when everyone else is using the Internet against dealers to
take away sales and lower margins, the Five Star Market Center helps dealers
raise margins and improve processes," said M. John MacDonald, Senior Vice
President, Sales and Service.  "This initiative is further proof of our
commitment to supporting the individual dealer as entrepreneur."

    Five Star Market Center is an initiative of DaimlerChrysler Corporation's
eConnect Platform Team, formed earlier this year to coordinate the company's
business-to-business, business-to-consumer, business-to-employee and business-
to-internal-business activities.

    "Five Star Market Center is yet another way we are bringing speed and
efficiency to our organization and to our dealer partners," said Gary E.
Dilts, Senior Vice President of DaimlerChrysler's eConnect Platform Team.
"The new e-business tools are redefining how we work and allow us to take cost
out of every facet of our business."

    Five Star Market Center will be available to Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge
dealers beginning in September 2000.