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DaimlerChrysler Corporation Statement in Response to Federal Judge Upholding Jimenez v. Chrysler Verdict

6 December 1999

DaimlerChrysler Corporation Statement in Response to Federal Judge Upholding Jimenez v. Chrysler Verdict

    AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Dec. 3 -- The following Statement can be
attributed to:  Jay Cooney, Litigation Communications Manager for
DaimlerChrysler Corporation .

    "Obviously we are very disappointed, but not surprised given the judge's
numerous erroneous decisions throughout the trial.  The judge merely rubber-
stamped the most outrageous, false and reckless charges made in the brief
submitted by plaintiffs' lawyers over 20-months ago.
    "In this case, the jury was forced to reach a verdict without knowing the
most critical facts -- namely, that the driver caused the accident by running
a red light, and the child would have lived if he was wearing his seat belt.
The plaintiffs' lawyers were also incorrectly allowed to introduce a number of
irrelevant allegations that had nothing to do with this case.
    "Because of these errors, the plaintiffs' lawyers were able to present a
highly misleading account of Chrysler's conduct, distort the safety record of
one of the safest vehicles on the road, and unfairly inflame the jury.
    "Fortunately, this latest ruling is not the last word on the case.
DaimlerChrysler plans an aggressive appeal, which we are confident will
ultimately demonstrate that the company is not responsible for this terrible
tragedy."