Plastic Intake Manifold For Chrysler Group's 2005 PT Cruiser GT Earns SPE Innovation Finalist Achievement Trophy

Siemens VDO Recognized For Superior Innovation in Plastics Engineering

LIVONIA, Mich., Nov. 17 -- The 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser GT plastic intake manifold, developed with Siemens VDO, was selected as a finalist in the Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE) automotive division's 34th Annual SPE Innovation Awards Program. Constructed from DuPont(TM) Zytel(R) nylon 6/6 in close partnership with Siemens VDO, the Chrysler Group manifold was one of only two other finalists in the Most Innovative Use of Plastics category.

The innovative manifold was recognized at the awards ceremony held at Burton Manor in Livonia, Mich. on Nov. 16, 2005, where Chrysler Group - Product Design & Development Engineer Garry McKissick accepted the Finalist Achievement Trophy.

"The Chrysler PT Cruiser GT plastic intake manifold is the first high- volume turbocharged plastic intake in the NA-Industry," said McKissick. "Being named a SPE Innovation Awards Program finalist is a huge accomplishment for the combined Chrysler Group, Siemens VDO and DuPont team."

The air intake product is the market's first mass-produced plastic manifold for a turbocharger application. By moving away from the original aluminum construction to a design using a vibration-welding grade of DuPont(TM) Zytel(R) nylon, the weight was reduced by 10 pounds.

"It is an honor to be submitted by our customer for this award, let alone being a finalist," said Siemens VDO Manager-Business Development Dariusz Kepczynski, who was the company's Program Manager for the 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser GT plastic intake manifold. "Through innovated design improvements and material uses, we were able to reduce costs for the customer, while adding value to overall product application."

The SPE Automotive Division's Innovation Awards Gala honors the "Most Innovative Use of Plastics" in automotive applications and recognizes outstanding leadership among automotive industry executives. This annual event typically draws over 700 OEM engineers, automotive and plastics industry executives, and media.

Siemens VDO Automotive is an internationally leading automotive supplier of electronics and mechatronics with applications covering gasoline and diesel powertrain technologies, safety and chassis systems, body electronics, plus interior products including infotainment systems. Worldwide sales reflecting fiscal year 2003/2004 totaled $11.6 billion (euro 9.0 billion). For more information: http://www.usa.siemensvdo.com/ .

Siemens AG is one of the largest global electronics and engineering companies with reported worldwide sales of $91.5 billion in fiscal 2004. Founded more than 155 years ago, the company is a leader in the areas of Medical, Power, Automation and Control, Transportation, Information and Communications, Lighting, Building Technologies, Water Technologies and Services and Home Appliances.

With its U.S. corporate headquarters in New York City, Siemens in the USA has sales of $16.6 billion and employs 70,000 people throughout all 50 states and Puerto Rico. Thirteen of Siemens' worldwide businesses are based in the United States. With its global headquarters in Munich, Siemens AG and its subsidiaries employ 440,000 people in 190 countries. For more information on Siemens in the United States: http://www.usa.siemens.com/ .

DuPont is a science company. Founded in 1802, DuPont puts science to work by creating sustainable solutions essential to a better, safer, healthier life for people everywhere. Operating in more than 70 countries, DuPont offers a wide range of innovative products and services for markets including agriculture, nutrition, electronics, communications, safety and protection, home and construction, transportation and apparel.