Chrysler Group Dedicates New Toledo North Assembly Plant and Celebrates Production Launch of All-New Jeep(R) Liberty

    AUBURN HILLS, Mich. and TOLEDO, Ohio, April 30 The
Chrysler Group dedicated its Toledo North Assembly Plant (TNAP) today and
celebrated the production launch of the all-new Jeep(R) Liberty produced
there.
    "Today's event celebrates the opening of this state-of-the art facility,
the high quality production launch of the new Jeep Liberty, and the hard work
and dedication of the entire Jeep team," said Dieter Zetsche, Chrysler Group
President and CEO.  "The people, product and plant that we celebrate today are
great examples that will ensure the success of this company.  Our roots run
deep in Toledo, the home of the Jeep.  Our partnership with the community and
our suppliers, and all the hard work of the launch team helped make today a
reality."
    Zetsche was joined by Ohio Governor Robert Taft, U.S. Congresswoman Marcy
Kaptur, Toledo Mayor Carty Finkbeiner, about 2,000 Toledo Jeep employees and
other company, union and community leaders.
    During the event Tom Sidlik, Executive Vice President for Procurement and
Supply, and General Manager of Jeep Operations for the Chrysler Group, along
with hundreds of employees presented Zetsche with the silver "Job One" Jeep
Liberty -- the first customer-level vehicle to roll off the production line.
    Zetsche "test drove" the vehicle on a virtual tour that included off-
roading at Camp Jeep, a snack break and visits to all 15 Chrysler Group
powertrain and component plants that support the Jeep Liberty.  After the
drive, Zetsche praised the high quality of the vehicle and declared that it
was ready for customers.  Shipments to dealers will begin this week.

    Toledo North Assembly Plant
    As DaimlerChrysler's newest assembly plant, TNAP represents the
culmination of best practices from the company's worldwide manufacturing
operations for lean, flexible, high-quality production.
    After building more than 1,200 pre-production vehicles to validate top
quality throughout the manufacturing process, the $1 billion facility is
ramping up production of the all-new 2002 Jeep Liberty ahead of schedule to
prepare for a summer market launch.
    At full production, TNAP will employ more than 2,100 team members, and has
the capacity to produce approximately 800 units per day, or over 200,000 units
annually on a two-shift operation.  TNAP will produce right and left-hand-
drive 2.4-liter, 3.7-liter and 2.5-liter diesel versions of the new Jeep
Liberty for more than 90 countries.
    "The production launch of the new Jeep Liberty at our new Toledo North
Assembly plant has set a benchmark for high quality," said Gary Henson,
Chrysler Group Executive Vice President - Manufacturing.  "As our newest
assembly plant, 'New Toledo' is the culmination of the latest manufacturing
best-practices from our operations worldwide, and like all our plants, it is a
learning field for innovative processes.  We designed the facility to be
flexible and lean, and we have 'error-proofed' our processes to ensure top
quality.  It's also a great example of incorporating new technology from our
colleagues at Mercedes-Benz."

    Chrysler Group Plants That Support Jeep Liberty

     Plant                  Location            Products for Jeep Liberty

     Dayton Thermal         Dayton, Ohio        HVAC systems

     Detroit Axle           Detroit, Mich.      Rear axle

     Etobicoke Casting      Etobicoke, Ontario  Pistons for the 3.7-liter
                                                engine; die cast cases,
                                                adapters, dust covers and
                                                housings

    Huntsville Electronics  Huntsville, Ala.    Body controllers

    Indiana Transmission    Kokomo, Ind.        45RFE transmission

    Indianapolis Foundry    Indianapolis, Ind.  3.7-liter engine block

    Kokomo Casting          Kokomo, Ind.        Pistons, valve bodies,
                                                transfer plate, piston
                                                accumulator, transmission case

    Mack Avenue Engine      Detroit, Mich.      3.7-liter engine

    McGraw Glass            Detroit, Mich.      Windshield, front and rear
                                                door glass

    New Castle Machining    New Castle, Ind.    Front knuckle assembly, shock
                                                clevis, front lower control
                                                arm, 3.7-liter exhaust
                                                manifold

    New Venture Gear        Syracuse, N.Y.      Transfer cases

    Sterling Stamping       Sterling Heights,   Floor pan and all exterior
                            Mich.               stampings except for roof

    Twinsburg Stamping      Twinsburg, Ohio     Roof stampings

    Toledo Machining        Toledo, Ohio        Torque converters and steering
                                                columns

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