The New Chrysler Launches 2007 United Way Torch Drive with Employee and Executive Participation

- Thousands of employees attend The New Chrysler United Way corporate campaign kick-off

- United Way of Southeast Michigan CEO Michael Brennan joins The New Chrysler employees and executives for torch lighting

- The New Chrysler is awarded the 'Spirit of America Summit Award'

- Company fund-raising efforts hailed as a national model for others to follow

- Employees raise a company record of over $60,000 during annual United Way kick-off event

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Aug. 24 -- The rain may have put a damper on the outdoor activities, but employee spirits were high as The New Chrysler kicked off its United Way employee giving campaign, drawing thousands of employees and top company executives together to raise money for the 2007 United Way of Southeast Michigan Torch Drive.

Ten employee teams -- representing Chrysler organizations such as Procurement & Supply, Product Development and the UAW- competed against each other to raise money for United Way. Collectively, the teams raised more than $60,000 - a company record for United Way kick-off fund-raising. In addition, the Chrysler Foundation agreed to match the money raised by employees during the kick-off event, bringing the total amount to over $120,000 for United Way.

The New Chrysler Chairman and CEO Bob Nardelli as well as President and Vice Chairman Tom LaSorda and Senior Vice President - Human Resources Nancy Rae kicked off the Company's fund-raising drive with a special torch-lighting ceremony.

"We will remain committed to the United Way and to the local communities in which we operate," LaSorda said. "I have personally experienced the benefits of your contributions to the United Way through my work with the Delray Neighborhood Center and the Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan.

"It's no secret just how tough it's been for both our community and the United Way of Southeastern Michigan over the past few years," added LaSorda. "And today we find ourselves in an even more difficult and challenging environment. Chrysler is known for its generosity and leadership. The roaring start demonstrated with this year's kick-off event means that I can count on you to maintain this tradition."

Employees also donated food for Gleaners Food Bank, children's VHS and DVD movies, gently-used books and school supplies.

Thirty United Way agencies participated in the kickoff and provided information from onsite booths.

Although rain dampened some of the day's activities, including the "sliming" of several executives, courtesy of the Nickelodeon "Slime Across America" tour, teams went all out in a facility-wide bake sale, featuring a variety of home-baked pastries, sometimes "sweetened" with loans of popular Chrysler vehicles such as the Dodge Charger SRT8 or limited-edition models of Chrysler concept vehicles developed by the Company's celebrated Design department.

Overall, Chrysler's 2006 corporate campaign raised $11,374,251, a 31 percent increase over the prior year. The New Chrysler has an ambitious goal that its 2007 United Way corporate campaign will match last year's totals.

United Way for Southeastern Michigan will kick off the community Torch Drive on September 7, 2007. The drive concludes November 15, 2007.

NOTE TO EDITORS: For more information, please visit the Chrysler media site at http://cgmedia.daimlerchrysler.com. For more information about 2007 labor negotiations, please visit http://www.chryslerlabortalks07.com