* DaimlerChrysler Latina to be based in Mexico City * Organization will assume responsibility for Sales, Marketing and After Sales of passenger vehicles for both Chrysler Group and Mercedes-Benz Car Group * Management of Latin America and the Caribbean Region consolidated in one central DaimlerChrysler location, bringing operational efficiency and synergies MEXICO CITY, March 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- With the goal of furthering cooperation and operational efficiency, DaimlerChrysler's Mexico Headquarters assumes responsibility for the full coordination of all passenger vehicle sales, marketing and after sales activities for both the Mercedes Car Group and the Chrysler Group in Latin America and the Caribbean. With responsibilities for approximately 30 countries including Brazil, Chile, Argentina and Venezuela, the DaimlerChrysler Latina operation will relocate and become part of DaimlerChrysler's headquarters operation located in Santa Fe, Mexico City. Previously, the management of the Latin America and Caribbean region was divided among multiple offices located in Auburn Hills (USA), Stuttgart (Germany), Chile, Venezuela, Puerto Rico and Brazil. Eduardo Mayoral (40) is appointed as Managing Director for the Region reporting to Joseph ChamaSrour (53), President and Managing Director of DaimlerChrysler Mexico. "We are convinced that this lean regional center for Latin America will allow us to realize synergies between the brands and enhance cooperation within the company," said ChamaSrour. "We are also confident that the new organization will become another positive example of closer cooperation between Mercedes Car Group and Chrysler Group." Chrysler Group sales in Latin America during 2005 were up by 48 percent compared with 2004, and projections for the future are optimistic due to an upcoming small and mid-size vehicle product offensive to reach the markets during 2006 and 2007. "Latin America is a critical region for our operations, and the new organization in Mexico will allow us to capitalize on existing synergies, increase efficiency and improve our reach and service to our customers," said Thomas Hausch, Executive Director for International Sales and Marketing, Chrysler Group. "The new organization structure for DaimlerChrysler Latina demonstrates the growing strength of cooperation between Mercedes Car Group and Chrysler Group and will help us to further enhance the presence of Mercedes-Benz, Maybach and smart in the region," said Dr. Klaus Maier, Executive Vice President Mercedes Car Group, responsible for Sales and Marketing. Eduardo Mayoral joined DaimlerChrysler in 1987 and has held positions of increasing responsibility in the areas of Finance, Sales, and Marketing. His academic background includes a bachelor's degree in Business Administration and Finance, from the Universidad Panamericana in Mexico City, and an MBA from the ITESM in Mexico City. He is also a graduate of the University of Michigan's Executive Program. He was born in 1965 in Mexico City. "Eduardo brings excellent experience to this position. We welcome him to this new position and look forward to achieving success under his leadership," concluded ChamaSrour. Mexico is a successful model of the operation of DaimlerChrysler passenger vehicles that includes the Chrysler Group, the Mercedes-Benz Group and Mitsubishi vehicles out of the same organization. Based on this successful integration of Mercedes-Benz and Chrysler in the Mexican market and that it shares similar languages and commercial regulations in the region, DaimlerChrysler Mexico is poised to support the new lean organization model of DaimlerChrysler Latina that will develop and enhance DaimlerChrysler's operations in the region. The coordination of the Commercial Vehicle activities of Mercedes-Benz will continue to be based in Sao Paulo, Brazil. DaimlerChrysler's product portfolio ranges from small cars to sports cars and luxury sedans, and from versatile vans to heavy duty trucks or comfortable coaches. Passenger car brands include Maybach, Mercedes-Benz, Chrysler, Jeep(R), Dodge and smart. Commercial vehicle brands include Mercedes-Benz, Freightliner, Sterling, Western Star, Setra and Mitsubishi Fuso. DaimlerChrysler's strategy rests on four pillars: global presence, superior products, leading brands, and innovation / technology leadership. DaimlerChrysler has a global workforce and shareholder base. With 384,723 employees, the Company achieved revenues of EUR 142.1 billion (USD 192.3 billion) in 2004. DATASOURCE: Chrysler Group CONTACT: Manuel Duarte of Chrysler Group, (5255) 5081-7081, Web site: http://www.media.daimlerchrysler.com/ http://www.daimlerchrysler.com/

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