The Chrysler Group Announces Three Appointments In the Product Development Area

    AUBURN HILLS, Mich., July 9 The Chrysler Group today
announced three appointments in the Product Development area.  All positions
will report to Richard Schaum, Executive Vice President, Product Development
and Quality.
    Effectively immediately, Lawrence Achram is Vice President, Advance
Vehicle Engineering; Michael Evans is Vice President, Product Planning; and
Eric Ridenour is Vice President, Large Car Platform Engineering.
    "These appointments will help position the Product Development
organization to meet the challenges of an increasingly competitive automotive
market by using the exceptional talents and skills of these three
individuals," said Schaum.  "Together, they will help shape the future
direction of the Chrysler Group's product line."
    As Vice President, Advance Vehicle Engineering, Achram is responsible for
directing all advance vehicle engineering activities for the Chrysler Group.
Most recently, he served as Vice President, Large Car Platform Engineering.
Achram joined DaimlerChrysler in 1984 and has held a number of positions in
Product Development, including Noise/Vibration/Harshness and Energy
Management, Advance Product Creation and Advance Vehicle Engineering.  He
holds a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in mechanical engineering from
Wayne State University and a master's in business administration from Michigan
State University.
    In the position of Vice President, Product Planning, Evans will direct all
product planning activities for the Chrysler Group and will provide support to
strategic business development initiatives.  He joined DaimlerChrysler in 2000
as Vice President, Advance Vehicle Engineering.  He previously served as
Director for various vehicle lines at Ford Motor Company, including Global
Line - Lincoln & Mercury, Compact Sport Utility vehicle line and Large Car
vehicle line.  Evans holds a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from
Lawrence Technological University and a graduate degree in Engineering
Management from the University of Detroit.
    As Vice President, Large Car Platform Engineering, Ridenour is responsible
for directing all large car platform engineering activities for the Chrysler
Group.  He recently served as Vice President, Product Planning.  Ridenour
joined DaimlerChrysler in 1986 and has held a number of positions in Product
Development, including Product Strategy and Cycle Planning, Powertrain
Planning, Program Management and Advance Vehicle Engineering.  He holds a
bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering and a master's degree in business
administration from the University of Michigan.