DaimlerChrysler Commits Largest Order of Fuel Cell Vehicles to LAX

* LAX receives the keys to five DaimlerChrysler F-Cells * DaimlerChrysler has the largest fleet of fuel cell vehicles in the world - more than 100 * DaimlerChrysler works in unity with BP, Praxair and government agencies to mature fuel cell vehicle technology and a hydrogen infrastructure * Two million invested for LAX public hydrogen station

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 10 -- DaimlerChrysler presented the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) today with five fuel cell-powered Mercedes-Benz cars to use in its fleet. This experience will further the development and experience with this zero-emission technology. The vehicles will be fueled at BP/Praxair's retail-designed hydrogen fueling station at LAX.

"These events exhibit how DaimlerChrysler, BP, Praxair and LAX are taking on the challenge for industries and governments to create viable alternative fuel solutions," said Mark Chernoby, Vice President, Advance Vehicle Engineering -- Chrysler Group. "We're pleased to be a driving force in this team effort to develop fuel cell technology."

The five DaimlerChrysler hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are joining the largest alternative-fuel airport fleet in the nation, where over 50 percent of the vehicles use alternative fuels, including compressed natural gas, liquid natural gas, propane and hybrid-electric and solar-power.

The DaimlerChrysler fuel cell vehicle fleet is diverse, and in addition to several research vehicles, it also includes medium-duty fuel cell Dodge Sprinter vans and more than 30 Mercedes-Benz Citaro fuel cell buses which operate in Europe, the United States, Japan, Australia and Singapore. As part of the world's largest fleet of fuel cell vehicles, DaimlerChrysler has more than 25 fuel cell vehicles in customer hands in California and more than 100 around the world. No other manufacturer even comes close to the efforts of DaimlerChrysler with fuel cell technology.

"Los Angeles World Airports has been committed to alternative-fuel technology since 1993, when we introduced such technology into our airport operations. Hydrogen fuel cell power is the next clean-fuel technology and we are pleased to be in the forefront of its development. The addition of hydrogen-fueled cars into our fleet today and the establishment of a retail- designed fueling station at LAX in 2004 are concrete examples of our commitment to improving air quality," said LAWA alternative-fuels fleet manager Dave Waldner.

The LAX hydrogen fueling station was dedicated in September 2004 and will serve LAWA vehicles and other hydrogen-vehicle users in the area. It is a joint project by BP, Praxair, LAWA, South Coast Air Quality Management District, California Energy Commission and the U.S. Department of Energy, all of which helped fund the nearly $2 million construction cost.

DaimlerChrysler supports Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's efforts and goals. His California Hydrogen Highway Network, in addition to other programs the company is involved with -- including those with the Department of Energy (DOE) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) -- enables DaimlerChrysler and its partners to gain extensive operational familiarity with fuel cell vehicles and hydrogen refueling stations.

DaimlerChrysler pioneered fuel cell vehicle technology over 10 years ago. Fuel cells release energy from the reaction of hydrogen with a catalyst and oxygen. This clean technology operates at a high level of efficiency and is true zero-emission. Hydrogen-powered fuel cell vehicles emit only pure water vapor as exhaust. Fuel cell vehicles are part of DaimlerChrysler's advanced propulsion technology umbrella, which includes efficient gasoline engines, advanced diesels and hybrid power-train systems.