* Ohio Council is the fourth organization to name Chrysler Group as the "Corporation of the Year" in 2006 * 2005 minority sourcing equaled $115 million in Ohio and $3.8 billion overall AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Nov. 10 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- DaimlerChrysler was named "Corporation of the Year" by the North Ohio Minority Business Council for its long-term commitment and business development leadership of minority suppliers. The award will be presented tonight at the Ohio Council's eighth annual awards ceremony. This is the fourth time Chrysler Group has been named "Corporation of the Year" in 2006. The other organizations who bestowed the honor include the Michigan Minority Business Development Council (October 2), the Canadian Aboriginal Minority Supplier Council (October 12) and the National Minority Supplier Development Council (November 3). "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 Jethro Joseph, Chrysler Group Senior Manager of Minority Supplier Development. "We recognize the value in having a supply base that mirrors our company and customer base." DaimlerChrysler has been a consistent supporter of the Ohio minority business community and has provided sourcing opportunities for minority businesses at the Toledo Supplier Park and Toledo North Assembly Plant, Toledo Machining and Twinsburg Stamping facilities. In total, the facilities provide more than $115 million in sourcing opportunity to diverse suppliers. The suppliers provide a number of key interior, exterior and stamped components for the all-new Jeep Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited, Jeep Liberty and Dodge Nitro, as well as transportation services for DaimlerChrysler. In 2005, DaimlerChrysler spent $3.8 billion with minority suppliers, which represents 13 percent of its total purchasing and an increase of $400 million from the previous year. In the last seven years, the DaimlerChrysler has more than doubled dollars spent with minority suppliers, from $1.7 billion in 1998 to $3.8 billion in 2005. Diversity Supplier Website 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. For more information, visit http://supplierdiversity.daimlerchrysler.com/ . DATASOURCE: Chrysler Group CONTACT: Curtrise Garner, +1-248-512-2712, , or Angela Ford, +1-248-512-2986, , both of Chrysler Group Web site: http://www.media.daimlerchrysler.com/ http://www.daimlerchrysler.com/ http://supplierdiversity.daimlerchrysler.com/

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