Chrysler Group Names Key Suppliers to Belvidere Assembly Plant - New partners will add 550 new jobs to the Belvidere region - Substantial investments in additional facilities - Improved flexibility for Daimler Chrysler's Assembly Plant AUBURN HILLS, Mich., March 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- DaimlerChrysler Corp. today announced key suppliers to its Belvidere (Ill.) Assembly Plant. The eight suppliers will provide a variety of vehicle parts and manufacturing services to the Belvidere facility. Three of them will build or move into nearby manufacturing facilities in order to support the DaimlerChrysler Belvidere plant. Android Industries, Grupo Antolin and Johnson Controls in a joint press conference with the State of Illinois announced their intention to collocate to Belvidere. These three companies will add an estimated 550 new jobs to the Belvidere region and make substantial investments in their new facilities. Beginning late in 2005, they will supply engine assemblies (Android), door trim modules (Grupo Antolin) and seat systems (Johnson Controls) to the DaimlerChrysler Belvidere plant. The other suppliers will supply parts from their North American and European locations. Additional Belvidere Key Suppliers AGC Automotive: backlights and windshields (Normal, Ill.) Lear Corporation: floor console and door trim (Greencastle, Ind.); overheads (Mendon, Mich.); carpet (Sheboygan, Wis.); and instrument panels (Iowa City, Iowa) NGK Spark Plugs: spark plugs (Irvine, Calif.) ThyssenKrupp Presta: safety restraints and steering columns (Liechtenstein) Yazaki North America: wiring (Obregon, Mexico) OEM - Supplier Innovation "We need to continue to drive innovation in our OEM-supplier partnerships. To continue to spur innovation at DaimlerChrysler, we've been transforming our Procurement and Supply operations since 2001," said Peter Rosenfeld, Executive Vice President - Procurement & Supply, Chrysler Group. "Our new approach is to measure suppliers in a very transparent way, in four dimensions that we've determined are the most meaningful: quality, technology, delivery and cost. We're awarding business on a performance based model. Those suppliers that choose to perform well are highly rewarded." This announcement of key suppliers follows the February announcement that TDS/US, a minority-owned logistics company, would operate a 500,000-square- foot inbound parts sequencing center for DaimlerChrysler's Belvidere Assembly Plant. Belvidere Slated for Major Expansion DaimlerChrysler will invest $419 million in Belvidere (as announced January 26) adding a second shift and up to 1,000 jobs in preparation of an early 2006 production launch. Money will be spent to overhaul the plant's body shop, modify the paint shop, the final assembly area and stamping facility. The changes will give the automaker greater manufacturing flexibility, while simultaneously preparing the facility for future launches. And once implemented, will give the plant the capability to produce multiple vehicles while simultaneously piloting another model. Belvidere Assembly was chosen for the investment, due to years of continuous performance improvements, especially in the areas of safety, efficiency and quality. DaimlerChrysler's Commitment to North America DaimlerChrysler is a significant contributor to the growth and sustained development of the North American economy: its 125,000 direct jobs in North America generate more than one million spin-off jobs in the U.S. alone. The Chrysler Group alone has invested nearly $5 billion dollars in its manufacturing facilities, equipment, tooling and training of employees across North America in the pasts two years, including major renovations at Belvidere Assembly, Brampton Assembly, Jefferson North Assembly, Newark Assembly, Saltillo Assembly, St. Louis South Assembly, Toledo Assembly, and Warren Truck Assembly. Recent DaimlerChrysler milestone investments include an innovative $2.2 billion Chrysler Group manufacturing project in Toledo, Ohio featuring supplier co-location expected to keep more than 3,800 jobs in the state. In Mexico, $210 million will be invested in upgrading and expanding the Saltillo assembly plant and in Canada, the company spent more than CAN$2.6 billion over the last three years, including preparations for the Windsor and Brampton plants for a new generation of cars, such as the Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger and Chrysler Pacifica. DATASOURCE: Chrysler Group CONTACT: Markus Mainka, +1-248-512-2729, or David Elshoff, +1-248-512-2690, , both of Chrysler Group Web site: http://www.media.daimlerchrysler.com/ http://www.daimlerchrysler.com/

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