Chrysler Group President Dieter Zetsche Underscores Commitment to Diversity At Annual Black Enterprise-Pepsi Golf and Tennis Challenge in Miami

    AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Aug. 31 Chrysler Group President and
CEO Dieter Zetsche made his first appearance before a major group of U.S.
minority business owners at the Black Enterprise - Pepsi Golf and Tennis
Challenge, August 29 thru September 3, 2001 in Miami, Florida.
    Held annually during the Labor Day weekend, the event is the largest
national golf and tennis tournament for African Americans, attracting more
than 1,500 owners and entrepreneurs of minority business enterprises (MBEs)
for a weekend of seminars, networking, entertainment and fun.  Chrysler Group,
including the Dodge, Jeep(R) and Chrysler brands, has been a major sponsor of
the tournament since 1994.
    Speaking at the Sponsor's Dinner, held on Wednesday evening, August 29,
Zetsche reiterated Chrysler Group's commitment to diversity, even in difficult
economic times.
    "As you know, the word 'challenging' might be a bit of an understatement
when describing the situation in the auto industry.  Unfortunately, times like
these can test an organization's commitment to diversity and minority
development," Zetsche said.  "But, we know that it is in times like these that
a commitment to diversity is needed the most."
    Zetsche also emphasized that diversity isn't just the right thing to do,
it's also a business imperative at the Chrysler Group.  In particular, the
company embraces the business principle that its supply base should be a
direct reflection of its customer base.
    Chrysler Group remains one of the automotive industry leaders in terms of
percentage of dollars spent with minority suppliers.  For the year 2000, it
sourced $2.7 billion dollars to MBEs, a company record.  The Diversity
Supplier Development department has been at the forefront of minority supplier
support since 1983, when it had sourced $25 billion to minority suppliers.
Since that time, the company has launched various initiatives to enhance
minority supplier sourcing opportunities, including the Minority Enterprise
Initiative, a mentoring program that provides minority suppliers with
comprehensive business assessments in order to help them improve their current
processes and be better poised for new business opportunities.  As a result of
its efforts, Chrysler Group won "Corporation of the Year" from the National
Minority Supplier Development Council as well as from the Michigan Minority
Business Development Council.  It was the first time an automaker received
both awards in the same year.  Company executives have also received "Advocate
of the Year" at the national and state level for outstanding individual
efforts in minority supplier development and diversity initiatives for the
year 2000.
    At Chrysler Group, corporate mindset drives diversity as an element of our
business plan.  Our diversity goals and strategies are designed to enhance the
company's commitment to equal opportunity in all aspects of our business
operations and civic activities.

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