Chrysler Group's 5th Annual Matchmaker Continues Tradition of Diversity Supplier Development

* Event Pairs Minority-Owned Suppliers with Traditional Tier 1 Suppliers * More Than $500 Million in New Business Generated at Previous Matchmakers * Commitment to Supplier Diversity

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Sept. 22 -- Chrysler Group's Matchmaker event enters its 5th year tomorrow as representatives from over two-hundred Tier 1 and minority-owned suppliers converge on the DaimlerChrysler Headquarters. The one-day event is designed to generate new business relationships for minority-owned suppliers both with the participating Tier 1s, and with Chrysler Group. Increased Tier 1 and Tier 2 procurement with Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs) is part of the company's business objectives for minority spending.

"Five years in we are able to say definitively that this program works," said Jethro Joseph, Senior Manager - Diversity Supplier Development, Chrysler Group. "Not only do we bring our Tier 1s together with minority-owned suppliers, we also follow-up and nurture budding relationships long after everyone has packed up and left."

At the Chrysler Group, a supply base that is reflective of the customer base is a business imperative and a chance to support communities by supporting MBEs. Chrysler Group is among industry leaders with 11 percent of spending ($3 billion) going to MBEs in 2003.

"Since 1983 we have challenged ourselves to become the leading champion of minority business enterprises, no matter what industry," said Tom Sidlik, member of the Board of Management of DaimlerChrysler - Global Procurement and Supply. "To date we have sourced more than $24 billion dollars with minority- owned businesses thanks to a series of successful initiatives like the Matchmaker event."

This year marks the fifth year that Sidlik has been a Board Member for the National Minority Business Development Corporation or Michigan Minority Business Development Corporation.

Last year's Matchmaker alone generated almost $250 million in new business for minority-owned suppliers with some deals still pending.

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