MBtech Group Appoints Knut Konzelmann to Chief Executive Officer - North America

TROY, Mich., April 3 -- As a result of double digit growth in the North American market, MBtech Group today announced the appointment of Knut Konzelmann as chief executive officer - North America. Konzelmann joined MBtech Group in 2002 and has served as principal for Lean Manufacturing Consulting and managing director of MBtech Asia. Prior to joining MBtech Group, Konzelmann held senior management positions with Mercedes-Benz and DaimlerChrysler.

"The North American automotive market is in the midst of a significant transition," said Hartmut Tresp, chief executive officer, MBtech Group. "Knut brings the knowledge and skills necessary to lead MBtech Group in North America during this very important time."

"Today's automotive suppliers are no longer responsible for just one aspect of technology," said Konzelmann. "MBtech Group assists suppliers in providing the full service knowledge and technology competence required in today's competitive automotive market. Our significant growth is an outcome of this industry need."

The success of MBtech Group is built upon attracting and retaining top engineers and consultants in their areas of expertise. With interdisciplinary project teams, MBtech collaborates with customers and suppliers to provide engineering and consulting services to the global automotive industry. MB-technology GmbH was founded as a subsidiary of DaimlerChrysler AG in 1995, marking the start of the present-day MBtech Group. In 1998, MBtech began operations in North America by purchasing proving grounds in Laredo, Texas. In the last two years, MBtech Group has increased its number of employees in North America by 47 percent and established five business divisions:

  *  Engine and Powertrain
  *  Body, Interior/Exterior
  *  Electrical and Electronics
  *  Vehicle Engineering and Testing
  *  Planning, Technology and Process Management

MBtech Group is a global automotive engineering and consulting company with customized services and products for engineering, consulting, operations, qualification and training. MBtech Group combines the highest degree of engineering competence, innovation and expertise for every phase of the vehicle development process. MBtech Group's customers include Audi, BMW, CISPR 25, Freightliner, Hyundai, ISO, Military Standards, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Porsche, PSA, SAE and Volkswagen.

In 2005, MBtech Group opened its North American headquarters in Troy, Michigan. The company employs 130 associates in locations throughout North America, including Detroit, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, Montvale, New Jersey, Portland, Oregon and Laredo, Texas.