---

Chrysler Sponsors National Black MBA Case Competition

17 September 1998

Chrysler Sponsors National Black MBA Case Competition

    AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Sept. 17 -- The pending merger between
Chrysler Corporation and Daimler-Benz is the basis of
one of the premier competitive events during the 20th Annual National Black
MBA Association (NBMBAA) Conference, being held September 16-20, in the Westin
Hotel in downtown Detroit.
    Teams of African-American MBA students representing the top business
schools from around the country will be asked to predict the next mega-merger
among the auto industry's major players as part of the Conference's Student
Case Analysis and Presentation Competition.  Chrysler Corporation is
sponsoring the Student Case Competition for the fourth consecutive year.
    "Mergers in the Automotive Industry:  Possible Future Alliances" is the
topic of this year's Student Case Competition.  The two-day event provides an
opportunity for students attending the national conference to demonstrate the
analytical and problem-solving skills they've honed during their MBA studies
and work experience.
    Nearly 100 students (25 teams) will compete for $18,000 in scholarship
funds.  The Chrysler Corporation Fund will also contribute $10,000 to the
NBMBAA scholarship fund.  Duke University was last year's winner.
    Eighteen judges, who are senior business professionals, will choose the
six finalists.  First, second and third-place winners will be announced on
Saturday, September 19 during the NBMBAA Awards Banquet at Cobo Hall, by
Dennis K. Pawley, Executive Vice President - Manufacturing, and Co-Chair of
the Diversity Committee at Chrysler.
    "For the participating students, the event is a valuable learning
experience," said Pawley.  "For Chrysler, the Case Competition is a
reaffirmation.  That is, it reaffirms Chrysler's commitment to diversity."
    The Case Competition was developed by a volunteer team of Chrysler
employees from various departments.
    The NBMBAA conference is designed to meet the professional development,
mentoring and networking needs of African American MBAs, business
entrepreneurs and students.  Over 5,000 participants are expected to attend
this year's conference.
    "At Chrysler, we've made strong progress in hiring and promoting women and
minorities, but we know we can do even more," said Kathy Oswald, Vice
President of Human Resources at Chrysler, and Co-Chair of the Diversity
Committee.  "I'm committed to making that happen -- even as we complete one of
the largest industrial mergers ever with Daimler-Benz.  Let me assure you
that, as DaimlerChrysler, there is at least one thing that will not change --
our commitment to achieving a diverse workforce that is reflective of the
global communities we serve."
    In addition to the Student Case Competition, Chrysler will participate in
a two-day career fair and exhibit, which includes a vehicle display and an
exposition of African American advertising (television and print).
    Colleges and universities participating in the Student Case Competition
are:
    American Graduate School of International Management
    Arizona State University
    Auburn University
    Babson College
    Bentley College
    Carnegie Mellon University
    Case Western Reserve University
    Clark Atlanta University
    Columbia University
    Duke University
    Emory University
    George Washington University
    Georgetown University
    Howard University
    Indiana University
    John Hopkins University
    MIT
    New York University
    Ohio State University
    Pennsylvania State University
    Purdue University
    Stanford University
    University of Arizona
    University of California at Los Angeles
    University of Georgia
    University of Illinois
    University of Iowa
    University of Kansas
    University of Southern California
    University of Tennessee
    University of Virginia
    Vanderbilt University
    Wake Forest University
    Washington University