Ernst Lieb named President and CEO of Mercedes-Benz USA

Paul Halata (55) to retire on August 31, 2006 after 33 years with Mercedes-Benz

Ernst Lieb (51) new President and CEO of Mercedes-Benz USA, effective September 1, 2006

Wolfgang Schrempp (56) new President and CEO of DaimlerChrysler Australia/Pacific, effective September 1, 2006

Bram Schot (45) new President and CEO of DaimlerChrysler Italia, effective September 1, 2006

STUTTGART - July 27, 2006: The DaimlerChrysler Board of Management has appointed Ernst Lieb (51) as the new President and CEO of Mercedes-Benz USA, effective September 1, 2006. Lieb succeeds Paul Halata (55) who is retiring after 33 years of service with the DaimlerChrysler organization. Lieb, currently President and CEO of DaimlerChrysler Australia/Pacific Pty. Ltd., will report to Dr. Klaus Maier, Executive Vice President Mercedes Car Group, responsible for Sales and Marketing. In his new role, Lieb will have overall responsibility for Mercedes-Benz passenger cars and Maybach in the U.S. He will lead MBUSA’s nearly 1,600 employees and 330 retailers throughout the U.S. Ernst Lieb began his career with DaimlerChrysler as an apprentice in 1978 in the former Daimler-Benz organization and became a spare parts specialist the same year. In 1985, he joined Mercedes-Benz Canada where he held various positions culminating in his promotion to President and CEO of Mercedes-Benz Canada in 1995. Under his leadership, sales of Mercedes-Benz passenger cars in Canada more than doubled. In April 2003, German-born Lieb became President and CEO of DaimlerChrysler Australia/Pacific Pty. Ltd., his most recent post. During that time, Lieb continued his involvement with the North American market by serving on the board of Mercedes-Benz Canada.

Dr. Klaus Maier expressed his sincere thanks to Paul Halata: “Over the last 33 years Paul has made a major contribution to the success of the Mercedes-Benz brand both in Europe and North America, the last seven at the helm of MBUSA. During his tenure, sales of Mercedes-Benz models in the U.S. grew by about 20 percent to the highest volume in the company’s history. On behalf of DaimlerChrysler I would like to thank him for the passion and dedication he has given to the three pointed star and wish him well for the future.”

Wolfgang Schrempp (56), President and CEO of DaimlerChrysler Italia Holding S.p.A. since April 2000, will succeed Ernst Lieb as President and CEO of DaimlerChrysler Australia/Pacific Pty. Ltd. Schrempp holds degrees in mechanical engineering and vehicle manufacturing and has amongst others worked in the Sales Training Department of the Mercedes-Benz AG. From 1993 to 1995, Schrempp has been the Branch Manager at the Freiburg (Germany) branch and from 1995 to 2000 at the Munich branch.

In Italy, Wolfgang Schrempp will be succeeded by Bram Schot (45), President and CEO of DaimlerChrysler Nederland B.V. since 2003. Dutch-born Schot has held various sales and marketing positions at Mercedes-Benz and DaimlerChrysler in the Netherlands since 1987.