Chrysler Group Announces Key Executive

* Thomas W. LaSorda to head Chrysler Group Manufacturing Operations * Richard A. Chow-Wah is Vice President Power Train Manufacturing, Core Team Leader * Bruce D. Coventry named Vice President-Engine/Foundry/Axle * Gary Henson to retire; Dieter Zetsche: "His contributions created a great foundation."

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Nov. 8 -- Chrysler Group today announced the appointment of Thomas W. LaSorda as Executive Vice President- Manufacturing, effective January 1, 2002.

In this position, LaSorda, 47, will be a member of the company's Executive Committee and be responsible for all worldwide manufacturing operations of the Chrysler Group. He succeeds Gary L. Henson, who will retire on December 31, 2001, after almost 40 years in automotive manufacturing.

Henson successfully accelerated the Chrysler Group's move toward lean manufacturing, while improving production quality at the company, which was most recently demonstrated by the results of the J. D. Power and Associates 2001 Initial Quality Survey.

``Gary Henson's leadership and discipline in manufacturing has helped us raise the standards in quality, productivity, safety and continuous improvement processes -- and he is a great guy to work with,'' said Zetsche. ``His contributions have created a great foundation for Tom LaSorda to lead our manufacturing team into a successful future.''

LaSorda joined the Chrysler Group in May 2000 as Senior Vice President in charge of Power Train Manufacturing. He previously held various international executive positions at General Motors, which included starting up a lean manufacturing assembly plant in the former East Germany.

LaSorda holds two undergraduate degrees and a master's degree in business administration (MBA) from the University of Windsor.

Richard A. Chow-Wah, 42, has been named Vice President-Power Train Manufacturing and Power Train Core Team Leader, effective January 1, 2002. He will be responsible for directing all activities of Power Train Manufacturing operations for Chrysler Group and head the Power Train Product Team.

Chow-Wah joined Chrysler Group in 1994 as a Manufacturing Manager. He has since held positions of increasing responsibility and is currently Vice President-Engine/Foundry/Axle. He holds both a bachelor's degree in industrial engineering and an MBA degree from the University of Windsor.

Bruce D. Coventry, 49, will succeed Chow-Wah as Vice President- Engine/Foundry/Axle, effective January 1, 2002. He will be responsible for directing all activities of the engine, foundry and axle facilities within Power Train Manufacturing.

Coventry joined Chrysler Group in 1995 as a Manager-Manufacturing Engineering. He has held various manufacturing positions including Plant Manager of the Kenosha Engine Plant. He is currently Director of Manufacturing Engineering. Coventry has an undergraduate degree in industrial administration/management from the GMI Engineering and Management Institute, and a master's degree in business management from Michigan State University.