---

Alliance of Auto Manufacturers Formed by 9 Automobile Companies

13 January 1999

Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers Formed by Nine Automobile Companies

    WASHINGTON, Jan. 12 -- Nine global automakers today announced
the formation of a new trade association to represent the common interests of
its members on a broad range of public policy issues.  The new organization
will be called the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers or the Alliance.
    The nine companies forming the Alliance are: BMW; DaimlerChrysler; Ford;
General Motors; Mazda; Nissan; Toyota; Volkswagen; and Volvo.
    The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers (the Alliance) member companies
have more than 642,000 employees in the United States.  The Alliance members
have 255 manufacturing facilities in 33 states and have approximately a 90
percent share of U.S. vehicle sales.
    Peter Pestillo, vice chairman of Ford Motor Company, will serve as
chairman of the Alliance for the first year of the new association.  Tom Gale,
executive vice president, Chrysler Product Strategy, Design and Passenger Car
Operations of DaimlerChrysler, has been named vice chairman of the group.  The
chairman position will rotate on an annual basis.  The vice chairman will
serve as chairman-elect for the Alliance.
    "The Alliance provides our companies a forum to work together on public
policy matters of common interest to develop constructive approaches and to
work with government and other stakeholders to find sensible and effective
solutions," said Mr. Pestillo, chairman of the Alliance.  "We have a special
commitment to improving the environment and motor vehicle safety.  A major
emphasis will be to convey this commitment as well as the industry's
accomplishments and positions on public policy issues to the public, the
government and other interested parties."

    Other important goals of the Alliance are:
    * To provide credible industry information and data on a global basis.
    * To seek common/consistent global regulatory standards.
    * To provide an essential industry interface with other organizations and
      coalitions.
    * To promote science and market-based, cost effective solutions on public
      policy issues.