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DaimlerChrysler Realigns Auburn Hills Design Office

29 June 1999

DaimlerChrysler Realigns Auburn Hills Design Office

    AUBURN HILLS, Mich., June 29 -- Effective immediately,
DaimlerChrysler has realigned its Auburn Hills Design Office
following K. Neil Walling's announcement of his plans to retire June 30, 1999,
after more than 33 years of service with the company.
    "Neil is one of the most well respected designers in the industry," said
Thomas C. Gale, Executive Vice President - Chrysler Product Strategy & Design
& General Manager - Passenger Car Operations.  "Although we'll miss his
expertise, Neil has done a great job of revving up the talent and accelerating
the level of design within the organization."
    As Vice President - Exterior Design, Walling was responsible for
Chrysler Corporation's joint venture partners vehicle design, the exterior
design of all the former company's cars and minivans and oversaw advanced
design programs at Chrysler Pacifica in Carlsbad, California.  Among his many
accomplishments, he has worked on more than 40 concept cars including the
Chrysler 300, Atlantic, Chronos and the Dodge Copperhead to name a few.
Walling joined Chrysler in 1966 as a designer.
    "I've been planning for early retirement for years, long before the
merger," said Walling.  "It didn't play any role in that decision.  My goal
was to retire by age 55 and now that has become a reality.  I have many things
that I want to do, including returning to painting and the arts," he said.
    With the realignment, Freeman J. Thomas joins DaimlerChrysler and is
appointed Vice President - Advance Product Design Strategy.  Ricardo Z.
Aneiros is appointed Vice President - Jeep(R)/Truck Exterior & Interior Design
and Color & Trim Design.  Trevor M. Creed assumes the responsibilities of Vice
President - Large Car, Small Car & Minivan Exterior & Interior Design.   All
three positions report to John E. Herlitz, Senior Vice President - Product
Design.
    Thomas is responsible for creating a dedicated advance design resource for
support of Advance Product Creation, Planning and Strategy activities and
oversees advanced design programs at DaimlerChrysler Pacifica in Carlsbad,
California.  He joins the company from the Volkswagen/Audi Design Center in
California where he was chief designer.  He co-designed the Volkswagen
Beetle Concept 1 Coupe and Concept 1 Cabrio.  His design for the Audi TT and
Audi TT Spyder are recognized as leading examples of advanced design.
Thomas has also been senior designer at Porsche AG; design consultant and
Instructor for Transportation/Industrial Design at the Art Center College of
Design.
    Aneiros is responsible for all Jeep/Truck exterior & interior design,
color, trim and fabric design concepts.  He rejoined DaimlerChrysler in 1987
as a Design Program Manager and since that time has held a series of important
product design positions relating to interior and exterior Jeep, Truck,
Minivan and Passenger Car Design.  Most recently, he served as Director -
Truck Exterior and Interior Design.
    Creed is now responsible for the exterior & interior design of all
Chrysler, Plymouth and Dodge cars and minivans.  He was previously responsible
for exterior & interior design for Jeep/Truck programs.  Creed joined Chrysler
Corporation in July 1985.
    "This realignment will facilitate an enhanced focus on advance design
strategy by consolidating advance design activities under the newly created
Vice President - Advance Product Design Strategy," said Gale.  "It will also
facilitate the organization's development of innovative design strategies in
concert with product development groups and Platform Teams, while improving
efficiency by consolidating the production interior and exterior design
functions."