DaimlerChrysler's Indiana Transmission Plant Celebrates Its One Millionth Transmission

KOKOMO, Ind., Nov. 7 -- The Chrysler Group celebrated the one millionth transmission built at its Indiana Transmission Plant (ITP) today with a ceremony that included Company executives, community leaders and union leadership.

``Like a good transmission, our company has to be able to shift gears to keep up with the market, and all of its parts have to work together to be successful, including employees, communities, unions and suppliers,'' said Wolfgang Bernhard, Chief Operating Officer for the Chrysler Group. ``Today's event also recognizes the tremendous improvements we've made in the quality of our transmissions. The confidence we have in our powertrains encouraged us to offer a new 'Home for the Holidays' seven-year/100,000 mile powertrain warranty program. We stand by the quality of our products, our powertrains, and our people, so it is appropriate that we are here in Kokomo to recognize this important milestone.''

Chrysler Group last week announced its ``Home for the Holidays'' program, which will provide -- at no charge -- a seven-year/100,000-mile powertrain protection plan on any 2001 and 2002 Chrysler, Jeep® or Dodge vehicle purchased between November 1, 2001 and December 31, 2001.

``Quite simply, we want people to feel secure that their car, truck or minivan will be taken care of for a long time,'' said Jim Schroer, Executive Vice President - Global Sales and Marketing. ``This holiday season will be an extra special one for all Americans and their families. And we all want to be extra close to friends and loved ones. With so many other things on people's minds, we want to assure our customers that the long-term protection of their vehicle won't be a concern.''

ITP built its one-millionth 45RFE rear-wheel-drive automatic transmission, which is used in Jeep® Grand Cherokee, Jeep Liberty, Dodge Ram, Dodge Dakota and Dodge Durango vehicles. The Company invested more than $1 billion in 1996 to build ITP, which began production in 1998, with more than 2000 employees.

In addition to ITP, the Chrysler Group has four facilities in Indiana: Kokomo Transmission and Kokomo Casting plants; Indianapolis Foundry in Indianapolis; and New Castle Machining in New Castle. The Company is also building a new transmission plant next door to ITP to produce the W5A580 Mercedes-Benz developed transmission for future Chrysler Group products.