11th Annual Urban Wheel Awards Honor Chrysler Group Executives

Chrysler Group executives win African-American and Asian-American Executive of the Year Awards

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Jan. 11 -- Chrysler Group executives were honored by On Wheels Inc. during the 11th Annual Urban Wheel Awards for their achievements in the automotive industry. Donald E. Goodwin, Vice President - Scientific Laboratories and Proving Grounds, was named the African-American Executive of the Year and Joe Chao, Vice President - Advance Manufacturing Engineering, received the Asian-American Executive of the Year. The event was held Jan. 9 at the Max M. Fisher Music Center in Detroit.

"This industry recognition of Joe Chao and Don Goodwin highlights the commitment to diversity at the Chrysler Group," said Nancy Rae, Senior Vice President of Human Resources and Co-Chair Diversity Council, Chrysler Group. "Diversity is woven into the company's culture, and the success of these two talented executives reinforces that fact."

The Urban Wheel Awards are the automotive industry's premier diversity awards and are held each year in conjunction with the North American International Auto Show. An independent panel of judges selected the Urban Wheel Award winners in the following categories: Company of the Year, African- American Executive of the Year, Asian-American Executive of the Year, Latino Executive of the Year, Minority Supplier of the Year, Urban Truck of the Year, Urban Car of the Year, Diversity in Motorsports Award and Diversity Advertisement Print Ad of the Year. The awards honor diversity and excellence in the automotive industry, both within the organization and in the community.

Don Goodwin joined the Chrysler Corporation in 1985 and held a series of positions within Product Engineering before being appointed to his current position of Vice President - Scientific Laboratories and Proving Grounds in December 1999. Mr. Goodwin is a native of Detroit, and graduated from Cass Technical High School.

Joe Chao joined DaimlerChrysler in 2001 after a distinguished career with General Motors that began in 1984. In 2004 Chao was appointed President and CEO of BeijingBenz - DaimlerChrysler (BBDC), where he was instrumental in establishing and advancing the company's presence in China, providing Mercedes-Benz, Chrysler and Jeep(R) vehicles for Chinese consumers. In 2005, Chao returned to the United States and assumed the duties of his current position, Vice President - Advance Manufacturing Engineering.

The Chrysler Group has been recognized by several leading publications and organizations for its diversity initiatives, including being named among Hispanic Magazine's "Corporate 100 List for 2006," Working Mother magazine's "100 Best Companies," DiversityInc. magazine's "Top 50 Companies" and Asian Enterprise Magazine's "Top Companies for Asian Americans." At the Chrysler Group, 28 percent of the workforce is comprised of minorities, while women represent 21 percent.