* DaimlerChrysler receives its fourth Corporation of the Year award from the NMSDC for its business development leadership * DaimlerChrysler recently receives Corporation of the Year awards from two other minority supplier organizations * 2005 minority sourcing equaled $3.8 billion, which represents 13 percent of total annual supplier AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Nov. 2 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- For the fourth time, DaimlerChrysler has received the Corporation of the Year award from the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC) for its long-term commitment and business development leadership of minority suppliers. The award was presented at the NMSDC's annual awards gala last night held at the Manchester Grand Hyatt in San Diego. The Company has received the NMSDC Corporation of the Year award four times: in 1986, 1993, 2000, and 2006. This is the third minority supplier organization to honor DaimlerChrysler as Corporation of the Year in 2006. The recognition also was presented by the Michigan Minority Business Development Council (MMBDC) on October 2, in Detroit and the Canadian Aboriginal Minority Supplier Council (CAMSC) on October 12. "Even in today's tough economic challenges, DaimlerChrysler remains committed to creating real economic growth, development initiatives and global opportunities for our minority suppliers," said Tom Sidlik, Member of the Board of Management and Executive Vice President of Global Procurement and Supply - DaimlerChrysler. "We accept NMSDC Corporation of the Year award as mutual partners working diligently with our minority suppliers to strengthen our competitiveness and build broad global opportunities for all of us." DaimlerChrysler spent $3.8 billion with minority suppliers in 2005, which represents 13 percent of its total purchasing and an increase of $400 million from the previous year. In the last seven years, DaimlerChrysler has more than doubled dollars spent with minority suppliers, from $1.7 billion in 1998 to $3.8 billion in 2005. This significant increase demonstrates its long-term commitment to the economic development and growth of its minority suppliers, in addition to distinguishing DaimlerChrysler as an industry leader in minority supplier development. "DaimlerChrysler has actively supported minority suppliers for 23 years, and we will continue to create innovative programs and opportunities that leverage their sustainability and growth," said Peter Rosenfeld, Executive Vice President - Procurement Supply, Chrysler Group. "We recognize the value in having a supply base that mirrors our company and customer base." The primary objective of the NMSDC is to provide a direct link between top American companies and minority-owned businesses. NMSDC is one of the country's leading business membership organizations. It was chartered in 1972 to provide increased procurement and business opportunities for minority businesses of all sizes. The NMSDC Network includes a national office in New York and 39 regional councils across the country. There are 3,500 corporate members throughout the network, including most of America's largest publicly-owned, privately-owned and foreign-owned companies, as well as universities, hospitals and other buying institutions. The regional councils certify and match more than 15,000 minority owned businesses (Asian, Black, Hispanic and Native American) with member corporations which want to purchase goods and services. "For the past 23 years, DaimlerChrysler has worked with NMSDC to build robust programs to meet and exceed the needs of our minority suppliers," said Jethro Joseph, Senior Manager of Minority Supplier Development - Chrysler Group. Matchmaker In 2000, DaimlerChrysler developed the "Matchmaker" program, which was designed to pair minority and Tier One suppliers, and encourage networking and the development of long-term partnerships. The first year garnered about $15 million in business opportunities. Since then, the program has generated more than $1.2 billion in new business opportunities. This year, minority and woman-owned exhibitors were invited to submit business ideas to compete for a year-long mentorship with a Tier One supplier. Each finalist presented their plan to the Tier One panel of judges at the Matchmaker event. Production Springs of Roseville, Mich., was chosen as the winner and will be matched with Tier One supplier Robert Bosch Corporation, for a one-year mentorship. Minority Enterprise Initiative (MEI) The much-heralded Minority Enterprise Initiative is one of the first programs to link auto manufacturers with minority suppliers and a financial institution (Comerica Bank), and one of the only automotive initiatives to address all aspects of a supplier's business. MEI was developed to help minority suppliers improve technical capabilities and increase quality and performance. Results of the program show that participating suppliers have increased their business with DaimlerChrysler by an average of 30 percent -- which is more than $240 million in new business for minority companies. In addition, the MEI program has generated more than $95 million in new capital loans for suppliers through Comerica Bank. Additional Programs Benefiting Minority Businesses In November 2004, DaimlerChrysler hosted 15 minority-owned U.S.-based suppliers on a business opportunity mission to South Africa to build economic bridges between the U.S. suppliers and their black-owned South African counterparts. The trip helped Chrysler Group's minority-owned suppliers become more globally competitive by opening doors of opportunity for South African black-owned businesses, while South Africa's developing automotive industry benefited from the exposure to U.S.-based suppliers. Supplier Diversity Web Site Introduced in 2005, the company's Supplier Diversity Web site is designed to identify and register potential suppliers. For minority-owned suppliers, it serves as a resource to build relationships and understand specific procurement requirements. For the Chrysler Group, it captures suppliers' capabilities and experience, and helps identify potential suppliers for specific procurement needs. DATASOURCE: DaimlerChrysler CONTACT: Angela Ford, +1-248-512-2986, , or Curtrise Garner, +1-248-512-2712, , both of Chrysler Group Web site: http://www.media.daimlerchrysler.com/ http://www.daimlerchrysler.com/

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