DaimlerChrysler Achieves $7.2 Billion Operating Profit in 2003

* Operating profit from ongoing business of more than $6.3 billion * Net income of $0.6 billion * Group revenues of $171.9 billion * Board of Management proposes a dividend of euro 1.50 per share for 2003

STUTTGART, Germany and AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Feb. 4 -- DaimlerChrysler has announced preliminary figures for the Group's performance in the 2003 financial year. An operating profit of $7.2 billion was achieved (2002: $8.6 billion). This figure included restructuring expenses of $591 million in line with Chrysler Group's turnaround plan that was decided on in 2001, relating to for example the sale or closure of component factories and additional job reductions. On the other hand, operating profit also includes a capital gain of $1.3 billion from the sale of the MTU Aero Engines business unit. Thus, operating profit excluding these two items amounted to $6.5 billion. DaimlerChrysler therefore achieved its own goal for its ongoing business in last year's very difficult market environment.

Net income amounted to $0.6 billion (2002: $5.9 billion), and earnings per share were $0.55 (2002: $5.90). The main reasons for the reduction in net income were the lower operating profit than in the prior year, and the impairment of $2.5 billion on DaimlerChrysler's investment in EADS. This impairment had to be recognized at the end of the third quarter due to United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (US GAAP) and the regulations of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). However, on December 31, 2003, as a result of the higher EADS share price, the market value of DaimlerChrysler's EADS holding again exceeded the reduced carrying value by around $1.8 billion.

DaimlerChrysler's total revenues in 2003 decreased by 7% to $171.9 billion. Adjusted for currency translation effects, revenues increased by 3%.

The Board of Management proposes to the Supervisory Board that a dividend of euro 1.50 per share should be distributed for the 2003 financial year (2002: euro 1.50). The total dividend distribution would then amount to euro 1.519 billion (2002: euro 1.519 billion). The final decision on the level of the dividend will be taken at the Annual Meeting, which is to be held in Berlin on April 7, 2004.

DaimlerChrysler will present details of the 2003 consolidated financial statements at the Annual Press Conference on February 19, 2004.

                    DaimlerChrysler - key figures for 2003

  DaimlerChrysler Group                      2003                  2002

                                     US $           EUROS         EUROS

  Revenues, in millions(1)        171,870         136,437       147,368
  Operating profit, in millions     7,163           5,686         6,854(2)
  Net income, in millions             564             448         4,718(2)
  Earnings per share                 0.55            0.44          4.68(2)
  Proposed dividend                                  1.50          1.50

  (1) Adjusted for currency translation effects increase by 3%

  (2) In 2002, one-time effects had a net positive impact on operating
      profit, net income and eps (e.g. sale of T-Systems).

      Currency translation: EURO 1 = US $1.2597 (noon buying rate on

      December 31, 2003); applied for 2002 and 2003 figures

      (For the reader's convenience, the financial information has been
      translated from euros into United States dollars at an assumed rate of
      euro 1 = $1.2597)

      The convenience translation does not mean that the euro amounts
      actually represent the corresponding dollar amount stated or could be
      converted into dollars at the assumed rate.)