DaimlerChrysler Services Adds Internet Simulcast Technology to the Auction Block

* Cost Savings and Convenient and Efficient Process for Dealers * Supports Dealers in Making Informed Auction Decisions

FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich., June 30 -- DaimlerChrysler Services North America today announced an addition to their menu of benchmark remarketing services with the introduction of Internet simulcast auction technology available to all Chrysler Financial and Mercedes-Benz Credit dealers at used car auctions. With this technology, a video camera is placed in the auction lane so dealers can see, hear and bid on the vehicle from the comfort of their office or home computer.

The virtual auction environment provides dealers across the country and physical borders with a visual of the physical auction location and vehicle inventory. Simulcasts run concurrently with the regularly scheduled auction times and dates. The simulcast auction sales complement the live sales and in effect bring more bidders to the auction block.

"Simulcast technology doesn't restrict the dealer to a physical location, so we are able to expose bidders to more auctions and cut down the costs associated with travel to physical auctions," said Eckart Klumpp, Vice President - Remarketing for DaimlerChrysler Services North America. "This technology has been a natural progression of the industry."

The use of simulcast technology by bidders is rising. The number of vehicles sold through simulcast this year has doubled as compared with 2003. Eight percent of the total number of vehicles sold at auction were sold through simulcast and in some auction locations simulcast sales were as high as 20 percent.

"This new technology medium is another great tool to support the dealer's supply and demand cycle of used vehicles by filling in any gaps in their used vehicle inventory," said Klumpp.

Auction representatives are full-time, on-site Vehicle Remarketing Managers experienced in an auction's operation and they have instituted a new grading scale to help the dealer determine the condition of the vehicle within the virtual auction environment.

"Prior to any off-lease vehicle moving down the auction lane, a dedicated Vehicle Remarketing Manager thoroughly inspects the vehicle and provides buyers with a comprehensive electronic vehicle condition report for posting during the simulcast," said Klumpp. "Dealers trust the announcements we make on our vehicles because we provide a consistent offering on a day-to-day basis. We want a buyer to be able to have the same experience at auction every time."

Buyers can logon to three Web sites to see the Internet auctions at Manheim's Simulcast, ADESA's LiveBlock or Independent Auction's OnLine Ringman(SM).

  Manheim
  http://www.manheim.com/
  *  Click Simulcast
  ADESA
  http://www.dealerblock.com/
  *  Click Dealerblock
  Independent
  http://www.onlineringman.com/
  *  Click OnLine Ringman