Behr Earns 2004 Global Supplier Award From DaimlerChrysler

DETROIT, Jan. 20, 2005 -- Behr GmbH & Co. KG was one of nine suppliers to receive DaimlerChrysler's Global Supplier Award for outstanding performance in 2004. Behr received the award for an interior commodity.

Behr supplies air conditioning and engine cooling systems and components from manufacturing locations throughout the globe to DaimlerChrysler facilities worldwide.

"DaimlerChrysler is committed to cooperating with our suppliers so that they can develop into the benchmark in each of their competitive arenas," said Thomas Sidlik, member of the DaimlerChrysler AG Board of Management responsible for Global Procurement and Supply. "The support of our suppliers is essential to the company's goal to deliver value to DaimlerChrysler customers all over the world, and many suppliers are exceeding expectations every day. That's why we want to recognize them."

To be eligible, the suppliers had to be a provider to DaimlerChrysler's Chrysler Group and Commercial Vehicles or Mercedes-Benz Car Group. The winners were chosen based on their performance in quality, cost, technology and delivery.

"The recognition of our customers is the greatest reward for the hard work and dedication of the members of the Behr team," noted Markus Flik, CEO of the Behr Group. "We strive to be the preferred supplier and performance partner to our customers. This award is an important milestone on our path to achieving this goal."

Behr GmbH & Co. KG, Stuttgart, is a systems partner for the international automobile industry. A specialist for automotive air conditioning and engine cooling systems, the Behr Group is one of the world's leading manufacturers and suppliers of original equipment for passenger and commercial vehicles. Group sales in the 2003 business year came to around $3.6 billion. Currently Behr employs approximately 16,900 staff at 30 development and production sites in Europe, North and South America, South Africa and Asia. Additional information is available on the Internet at http://www.behrgroup.com/ .

Headquartered in Troy, Mich., Behr America has nearly 3,000 employees at facilities in Troy and Webberville, Mich.; Dayton, Ohio; Charleston, S.C., and Fort Worth, Texas.