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DaimlerChrysler Exec Briefs French Auto Suppliers on U.S. Purchasing Power

4 July 2000

    PARIS - Thomas W. Sidlik, a U.S. member of the Board of Management of 
DaimlerChrysler AG, celebrated America's Independence Day as the keynote speaker 
of an automotive seminar in France.

    Sidlik, Executive Vice President, Procurement & Supply and General Manager
Jeep Operations, was the featured speaker at a conference jointly sponsored by
the Centre Francais du Commerce (CFCE) and CLIFA, an association representing
the Automotive Industrial and Equipment Manufacturers and the French Plastics
Processing industry.

    Sidlik addressed representatives of over 100 automotive suppliers on the
North American perspective of DaimlerChrysler's global procurement and supply
operations.

    Sidlik emphasized the four initiatives of quality, systems cost, cycle
time and technology, which comprise the basis of the company's supplier
relations philosophy of Extended Enterprise(R).

    "Extended Enterprise is our supply chain management process," Sidlik said.
"It is our overriding principle of managing multiple tiers of suppliers."

    The main goals of Extended Enterprise are:  reduce cycle time; minimize
systems costs; achieve perfect quality; and leverage supplier technology.

    "We view ourselves as managers of the supply chain and we want our Tier I
suppliers to help us manage the entire supply chain," Sidlik told the French
automotive suppliers.  "Extended Enterprise becomes long-term relationships
with suppliers based on mutual trust and respect."

    DaimlerChrysler Corporation produces vehicles in 34 countries, which are
sold worldwide in 200 countries.