Chrysler Group Sponsors the Collective Purchasing Conference/'Matchmaker' Along With the American Society of Muslims National Convention

WHAT: Chrysler Group is sponsoring its "Matchmaker" event in Chicago to generate business opportunities among minority suppliers and Tier One suppliers. "Matchmaker" encourages the development of long-term business relationships for Chrysler Group's minority suppliers. This year's program is held in conjunction with the American Society of Muslims National Convention in Chicago.

WHO: Chrysler Group minority suppliers, including Rush Trucking, Vitec, and Bartech.

        W. Deen Mohammed, President of the American Society of Muslims

  WHEN:  "Matchmaker" will be held from Friday, August 29 -- Sunday,
         August 31.  The hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (CDT)

  WHERE:  Hyatt Hotel
          151 E. Wacker Street
          Chicago, IL

DETAILS/OTHER: Since its inception in 2000, the "Matchmaker" program that is held in Auburn Hills, Mich. (Chrysler Group Headquarters) has generated more than $60 million in new business opportunities. Chrysler Group's commitment to minority supplier development expands beyond the "Matchmaker" program:

In 2002, Chrysler Group purchased $3 billion from minority suppliers for goods and services.

The total amount represented almost 11 percent of its total purchasing spend, maintaining Chrysler Group's presence as one of the industry leaders in terms of percentage of dollars spent with minority business enterprises.

The CPC/Comtrust LLC was recently certified as a minority business enterprise by the Chicago Minority Business Development Council, an affiliate of the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC) of New York.

Additional information and news from DaimlerChrysler is available on the Internet at: www.media.daimlerchrysler.com

PRNewswire -- Aug. 28