BEIJING, Sept. 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Chrysler Group and its long-time partner Beijing Automotive Industry Corporation (BAIC) gave their new joint venture a very special Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival gift today -- local production of the award-winning Chrysler 300C. Just two weeks after starting his new role as President and CEO of the Chrysler Group, Tom LaSorda came to China to review the Company's plans here and to announce the intention to build the Chrysler 300C at the new joint venture, BeijingBenz-DaimlerChrysler Automotive Ltd. (BBDCA), for the Chinese market. "The Chrysler 300C, which to date has won more awards in the U.S. than any other vehicle, is the flagship of the Chrysler Group and symbolizes our plans to further develop our brands in the world's fastest growing market," said LaSorda. "Chrysler was the pioneer in China with the first international automotive joint venture, Beijing Jeep(R) Corporation. Now, with our long- time friends at BAIC, we've expanded the joint venture, and have already started construction of the new facility where we intend to produce the 300C." On September 2, the Chrysler 300C was awarded the 2005 Most Popular Imported Luxury Premium Car in China, in an internet survey from auto.sohu.com, Youth Sports Newspaper and Pioneer Auto Market. During the event, LaSorda unveiled a giant moon cake, reminiscent of the moon cakes traditionally given for the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival, which takes place during the full moon on September 18. The moon cake was lifted to dramatically reveal the new Chrysler 300C. "My understanding is that in China, the Mid-Autumn Festival is a traditional family celebration," added LaSorda. "The family ties of Chrysler and BAIC go back more than twenty years, so it's appropriate that we give BBDCA, the newest member of our Chinese family, a very special gift -- local production of the Chrysler 300C." "We are very excited about the prospect of producing the world-famous Chrysler 300C in Beijing," said An Qingheng, Chairman of BBDCA and BAIC. "Local production of this award-winning vehicle is indeed a great Mid-Autumn Festival gift for the new joint venture, and we will work closely with Chrysler and the relevant authorities to bring this project to fruition." BBDCA has been operational since its business license was issued last month. The 50:50 joint venture between DaimlerChrysler and BAIC is an expansion of Beijing Jeep Corporation, which produces and sells Jeep and Mitsubishi SUVs. BBDCA will also produce Mercedes-Benz E- and C-Class sedans at a new facility in the Beijing Development Area in the southeast part of the city. The former BJC will relocate from its current site downtown to a new facility adjacent to the new Mercedes-Benz production hall. The Chrysler 300C will be built in a new Chrysler production hall, starting by the end of 2006 at the new location. The Chrysler Group, which produces and markets Chrysler, Jeep(R) and Dodge brand vehicles, increased worldwide annual sales in August, marking its seventeenth consecutive month of year-over-year sales gains. The company is undergoing its most ambitious product offensive, launching 25 new vehicles in three years. Its product lineup includes: the award winning Chrysler 300C, industry-leading Chrysler Voyager minivans with Stow 'n Go(TM) seating, and the venerable Jeep Grand Cherokee, Jeep Commander and Jeep Wrangler, among others. In North America the Chrysler Group also sells Dodge branded vehicles, including the Dodge Charger, Dodge Ram Truck, and of course, the Dodge Viper, among others. Dodge vehicles will soon be available in Europe and additional international markets. The Chrysler Group is a unit of DaimlerChrysler Group, one of the world's leading transportation services companies, which builds and markets passenger cars and commercial vehicles with the brands: Mercedes-Benz, Maybach, smart, Chrysler Jeep, Dodge, Freightliner, Setra, Sterling, Thomas Built and American LaFrance. DaimlerChrysler Financial Services is the third-largest automotive captive financial services provider in the world. DATASOURCE: Chrysler Group CONTACT: Michael Aberlich of Chrysler Group, cell: +1-248-635-7072, , or Trevor Hale of DaimlerChrysler (China) Ltd., +86-13601337084, Web site: http://www.media.daimlerchrysler.com/ http://www.daimlerchrysler.com/

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