DaimlerChrysler Announces New Information Technology Management Structure

- Alignment positions organization for opportunities in the future - Commitment to in-house Information Technology management

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Jan. 18 -- DaimlerChrysler today announced that it will restructure its Information Technology Management (ITM) organization. The restructuring process, which began January 1, 2005, will allow the company to better capitalize on current and future IT opportunities and challenges.

"Our benchmark Information Technology Management group is a competitive advantage for DaimlerChrysler and we are committed to keeping it in-house for the long term," said Susan Unger, Chief Information Officer and Senior Vice President, DaimlerChrysler AG. "Our ITM organization is customized yet flexible to support the needs of our own business operations and changes in the market."

Among the changes, Karenann Terrell is promoted to the newly created position of Vice President and CIO, Chrysler Group and Mercedes-Benz North America, and now reports directly to Unger. In this position, Terrell is now responsible for all aspects of IT management in North America including Engineering, Manufacturing, Sales & Marketing and Aftersales, Human Resources, Finance, and Communications.

Continuing to report to Unger, Michael Gorriz will assume the newly created position Vice President and CIO Mercedes Car Group and ITM Business Systems after a short-term integration project. This will consolidate ITM for Business Systems and MCG into one position.

"These two positions allow for a more comprehensive view of each area's IT needs," said Unger. "Karenann and Michael will have broad responsibilities over their areas which will allow quicker reallocation of resources and process improvements."

Reflecting the global nature of DaimlerChrysler's Procurement & Supply operations, Joseph P. Bulat, Director - Global Procurement & Supply Technology Systems, now reports directly to Unger.

"It is important for the company to continue to find buying power synergies and best practices in procurement and supply," Unger added. "This will streamline P&S IT administration and communications, and recognizes the important role of P&S within DaimlerChrysler."

In addition to Terrell, Gorriz, Vincent Morrotti, Vice President - ITM Infrastructure, and Bulat, three other executives report directly to Unger: Helmut Mahler, Vice President - ITM Commercial Vehicles and Sales, Robert Smith, Director - ITM Controlling and Supply Management and Eberhard Cluss, CIO Mercedes Car Group, who will retire after the short-term integration project with ITB. Demonstrating the company's commitment to IT Management, Unger reports directly to Chairman of the Board of Management Prof. Juergen Schrempp.