DaimlerChrysler Honors Top Global Suppliers

* Top Suppliers in Eight Categories Honored for Benchmark Levels of Quality, Cost, Technology and Supply * Global Procurement & Supply Organization Enhancing Global Coordination Between DaimlerChrysler and Supply Base

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Jan. 14 -- Eight suppliers to DaimlerChrysler were recognized for their outstanding performance in 2003 last week at the Company's Global Supplier awards program. The event was held at "The Firehouse" in Detroit in conjunction with the 2004 North American International Auto Show.

The award wining suppliers were: Accenture (International Procurement Services); Autoliv (interior components); Denso (electronics components); Gentex (exterior components); GKN (powertrain components); Magna International (raw materials/body-in-white); Muhr and Bender KG (chassis components); and United Parcel Service (logistics services). These suppliers represent six countries on three continents.

"These award-winning suppliers exemplify our pursuit of working with benchmark suppliers around the world," said Tom Sidlik, member of the DaimlerChrysler Board of Management responsible for Global Procurement & Supply. "The Global Procurement and Supply organization is committed to supporting DaimlerChrysler's strategic vision - global presence, strong brands, broad product range and technology leadership.

"In addition, the awards represent another significant milestone for the Global Procurement & Supply organization since its creation in 1998," added Sidlik.

In order to be eligible, suppliers had to be a provider to DaimlerChrysler's Chrysler Group and Commercial Vehicles or Mercedes-Benz Car Group. The winners in each of the eight categories were chosen from suppliers to DaimlerChrysler globally based on their performance measures in Quality, Cost, Technology, and Delivery.

DaimlerChrysler purchases more than $100 billion of goods and services every year. In an effort to manage this diverse purchasing group, DaimlerChrysler has blended the talents of people throughout the company to create a global supply network -- the DaimlerChrysler Extended Enterprise(R).

"DaimlerChrysler bases its souring decisions on specific measures -- quality, cost, technology and supply," said Sidlik. "No matter whom the supplier, what the supplier makes or where they make it, each has to meet the same parameters -- quality parts, with appropriate technology, delivered on time, at a fair price."

A commemorative trophy for the eight winners was created by Erika Bartels- Dawkins, a design student at Detroit's College of Creative Studies whose design was picked from a school-wide competition. The award is made of bronze and manufactured at the school. Ms. Bartels-Dawkins also earned a scholarship from DaimlerChrysler for winning the competition.

Providing the musical background at the event were youth performers from Detroit's own Mosaic Youth Theatre. It was founded in 1992 to provide comprehensive theatrical and music training to talented Detroit-area young people.

Representing DaimlerChrysler's Global Procurement & Supply Council at the event were:

  *  Peter Rosenfeld -- Chrysler Group Procurement & Supply
  *  Harald Boelstler -- Mercedes-Benz Passenger Car/smart
  *  Stephan Buchner -- Mitsubishi Motors Corp.
  *  Wolfgang Czaja -- Commercial Vehicles
  *  David Hodgson -- Chrysler Group Supply
  *  Scott Garberding and Steve Walukas -- Chrysler Group Supplier Quality
  *  Heinrich Reidelbach -- International Procurement Services
  *  Robert Schott -- Chrysler Group Procurement

  DaimlerChrysler Global Supplier Award Winners

  Supplier            Component or Service        Country
  Accenture           International Procurement
                       Services                   U.S.A.
  Autoliv             Interior                    Sweden
  Denso               Electronics                 Japan
  Gentex              Exterior                    Germany
  GKN                 Powertrain                  Great Britain
  Magna International Raw Materials               Canada
  Muhr and Bender     Chassis                     Germany
  United Parcel
   Service            Logistics                   U.S.A.

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