DaimlerChrysler Selects North Charleston, S.C. for New Sprinter Van Assembly Plant

COLUMBIA, S.C.--Nov. 2, 20058, 2005--

Automotive Manufacturer to Invest $35 Million, 220 New Jobs in Initial Phase of Potential 1800-Job Announcement

The world's largest commercial vehicle producer DaimlerChrysler has selected North Charleston, S.C. as the site for its new Dodge Sprinter van assembly plant.

DaimlerChrysler will initially invest $35 million and employ 220 when the plant produces its first van in the final quarter of 2006. This is part one of a three-phase plan that upon culmination would create 1800 jobs and $435 million in investment.

Today's announcement builds on South Carolina's continued economic development successes of the last two years, with 2004 resulting in the best year for the state since 1991 for recruiting jobs from new companies and the second-best year for total capital investment. The state is on track for another banner year of job-creation and capital investment, a fact further solidified by today's announcement.

"We've said from day one that targeting and growing our state's automotive sector is one of our top economic development priorities," said Gov. Mark Sanford. "This announcement is another major step forward on that front. We're going to keep working to accelerate the pace of growth in our economy by continuing to bring quality companies and jobs to South Carolina."

To meet the strong demand for Sprinter vans in North American markets, DaimlerChrysler will adapt an existing facility north of Charleston to assemble the new vehicles. The next-generation vehicles produced in South Carolina will replace the current Sprinter model in early 2007. Since 2001, the Sprinter has been on sale in the USA under the Freightliner and Dodge brands.

"We have ambitious, long-term plans for the van market in North America," said Dr. Rolf Bartke, head of DaimlerChrysler's Mercedes-Benz vans business unit. Bartke pointed to the hands-on involvement by state officials and easy access to the Port of Charleston as major reasons why South Carolina was the winner of an extremely competitive site selection process.

"Recruiting world-class companies like DaimlerChrysler is part of our long-term economic development strategy," said Commerce Secretary Bob Faith. "We knew that South Carolina had exactly what DaimlerChrysler needed--a highly efficient port and a workforce well equipped for automotive success."