DaimlerChrysler CEO to Speak at SAE 2003 World Congress Annual Banquet

    TROY, Mich., Jan. 23 SAE International is pleased to
announce that one of the automotive industry's most influential leaders will
take the stage during the 2003 SAE World Congress Annual Banquet.  Dieter
Zetsche, President and CEO of DaimlerChrysler Corporation, will provide the
principal speech during the March 6, 2003 event.
    "We are excited that Dr. Zetsche agreed to participate at such a prominent
level in the banquet ceremonies," said Dave Amati, SAE's Director of
Automotive Business and the SAE World Congress staff leader.  "This is another
indication of the support and commitment that DaimlerChrysler (2003 Congress
Host Company) has brought to the table."
    Amati noted that the addition of Zetsche to the program serves as one in a
series of highlights for the "reinvented" SAE World Congress.  "The new 2003
World Congress will feature many sweeping changes, all designed to bring a
world class technical program and daily executive panels together with
displays and other important events on the exhibition floor," said Amati.
"Dieter Zetsche's presentation will provide a fitting cap to what promises to
be the most exciting SAE World Congress to date."
    Zetsche has served as the President and CEO of DaimlerChrysler Corporation
since November 17, 2000.  He is responsible for the worldwide operations of
Chrysler, Jeep(R) and Dodge, as well as for Mercedes-Benz USA, Canada, and
Mexico.  He has been a member of the DaimlerChrysler AG Board of Management
since the company was officially formed in 1998.  He was initially elected a
member for the former Mercedes-Benz AG Board of Management in 1992 and the
former Daimler-Benz Board of Management in 1997.
    Zetsche joined Daimler-Benz AG in the research division in 1976.  He held
several domestic and international management positions before becoming the
chief engineer for Mercedes-Benz do Brazil in 1987, and a member of that
unit's management board one year later.  He received his master's degree in
Electrical Engineering from the University of Karlsruhe, followed by a
doctoral degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Paderborn Technical
University.
    The event will also have a new home this year: the Annual Banquet will be
held at the Detroit Marriott Renaissance Center in the Renaissance Ballroom,
located on Level 4.  Seating at the event will be limited to 1,200 guests and
will be available beginning at 6:00 p.m. with the Annual Banquet festivities
beginning promptly at 7:00 p.m.  Tickets are priced at $125/each or
$1,250/table.  Reserve your seats now by visiting
http://www.sae.org/congress/about/annual-banquet.htm or calling SAE Customer
Service at (877) 606-7232.