FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich., Sept. 18 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- DaimlerChrysler Financial Services, the world-wide vehicle financing unit of DaimlerChrysler, and Cranbrook Academy of Art, the internationally-acclaimed graduate program in art, architecture and design, have joined forces to support the September 21, 2006 grand opening of the Anton Art Center in Mount Clemens, Mich. Visitors to the brand new Anton Art Center will experience "ArtWorks ... in Macomb" a collection of works by recent graduates of Cranbrook Academy of Art as selected by employees of DaimlerChrysler Financial Services Americas in Farmington Hills, Mich. This ArtWorks selection of contemporary art in a variety of media, previously resided in the company's Americas' headquarters building for one year as part the relationship the company and the Academy established five years ago to present art by Academy graduates in the workplace. The company and the Academy plan to have the "ArtWorks" collection move to other sites in the Metro Detroit area over the next 12 months to make the collection available to a broader audience. This edition of "ArtWorks" will close at the Anton Art Center on October 13. "This collection is unique in that it represents graduate level work by artists from throughout the United States and the world, but it was selected by employees, not curators, who live and work right here in our own backyard," said Michael Gielniak, Executive Director for Macomb County's Center for Creative Learning and Teaching. "Making this collection accessible for the people of Macomb County in the brand new Anton Art Center hopefully will inspire dialogue among local artists to come forward with their work." Each year, employees from DaimlerChrysler Financial Services visit the Academy to select a collection of art created by Cranbrook's graduate students that is then installed in the headquarters building of the Americas operations for a year. The new Anton Art Center will be receiving the most recent installation. These works represent the work from many departments of the Academy which include: 3D Design, 2D Design; Ceramics; Sculpture; Print Media; Painting; Photography; Fiber; and Architecture. "This collection represents the leading-edge modern artists of tomorrow and all of us at DaimlerChrysler Financial Services are excited to have the opportunity to share their visions of the future with the people of Macomb County," said Klaus Entenmann, President and CEO of DaimlerChrysler Financial Services Americas. Additionally, the company and the Academy have also collaborated on The Emerging Artist Award as a way to recognize the graduating artist whose collective work embodies the values shared by both entities: integrity, openness and respect; financial and social responsibility; inspired and empowered people; and commitment to excellence. The company also is the Signature Sponsor of Fanfare, the annual fundraising event to benefit the Cranbrook Academy of Art Scholarship Program. Gerhardt Knodel, Director of Cranbrook Academy of Art, said the new ArtWorks collaboration is an opportunity for Cranbrook graduates to have their work more widely exhibited in the Metro Detroit community. "This program is a reflection of the ongoing creative partnership between Cranbrook and DaimlerChrysler Financial Services in bringing contemporary art to the community," he said. About DaimlerChrysler Financial Services Americas LLC DaimlerChrysler Financial Services Americas LLC provides brand-specific financing for automotive dealers' inventories and their retail consumers, and conducts business as Chrysler Financial and Mercedes-Benz Financial. As DaimlerChrysler Truck Financial, it also finances commercial vehicles for affiliate products such as Freightliner, Sterling and Western Star. The company serves as the headquarters for operations in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Argentina, Brazil and Venezuela, and has approximately 5,600 employees who manage a portfolio of more than $107 billion with nearly five million contracts. DaimlerChrysler Financial Services Americas LLC is a company of the DaimlerChrysler Financial Services Group, headquartered in Berlin, Germany, which operates in 39 countries with an employee base of close to 11,000 and a global portfolio of approximately $147 billion. DaimlerChrysler Financial Services is one of the leading financial services organizations worldwide. About Cranbrook Academy of Art Cranbrook Academy of Art is an independent graduate degree-granting institution offering an intense studio-based experience where artists-in- residence mentor students in art, architecture and design to creatively influence contemporary culture. Founded in 1932, Cranbrook Academy of Art offers Master of Fine Arts degrees in nine disciplines including 2D Design, 3D Design, Ceramics, Fiber, Metal, Painting, Photography, Printmaking and Sculpture and a Master of Architecture degree. Cranbrook is an internationally renowned educational community dedicated to excellence in the arts, education and science. Cranbrook Art Museum is a forum for presenting the work of Academy students and alumni as well as presenting contemporary art for public audiences. Cranbrook is located at 39221 Woodward Avenue in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, and comprises its Academy of Art, Art Museum, Institute of Science, Schools and other affiliated cultural and educational programs. DATASOURCE: DaimlerChrysler Financial Services CONTACT: Jack Ferry of DaimlerChrysler Financial Services, +1-248-427- 3124, , or Felicia Molnar of Cranbrook Academy of Art, +1-248-645-3329, , or Michael Gielniak for Center for Creative Learning & Teaching, +1-586-469-8666, Web site: http://www.daimlerchryslerfinancialservices.com/na

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