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.May 12, 2004
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This Week:

• Porsche Releases Initial Details of All-New 911 Models for Model Year 2005

• Mercedes Car Group: Successful New Products and Record Demand for E-Class

• Production Ends At Historic Dearborn Assembly

• DaimlerChrysler AG and Hyundai Motor Company Announce Realignment of Strategic Alliance

• Toyota Announces Management Changes at Toyota Motor North America, Inc.

• New Volkswagen convertible with innovative roof system to be launched in 2006

• Honda Announces Major Investment in the Marysville Auto Plant

• Porsche(R) Names New Design Chief; Veteran Harm Lagaay to Retire

• Chrysler Group Announces Changes in Product Development

• BMW Group Sales Rise 10.3% In April

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Chrysler Group Announces Changes in Product Development
 

Finalize Product Teams consolidation to three 'architectures' Appoint Chief Engineers within each team Direct additional focus on advanced development of components and systems AUBURN HILLS, Mich. - Chrysler Group today announced changes to its Product Development organization primarily designed to finalize the consolidation of its Product Teams into three basic architectures. The realigned teams will be called Front-Wheel Drive (combining the Small Car Product Team and the Family Vehicle Product Team), Rear-Wheel Drive (consolidating the Activity Vehicle Product Team and Premium Vehicle Product Team) and Body-on-Frame (previously known as the Truck Product Team).

Consistent with the direction of consolidating the Product Teams into three groups, the following appointments were announced:

Larry D. Lyons is appointed Vice President - Front-Wheel Drive Product Team and Core Team Leader. Lyons was formerly Vice President - Small Car Product Team and Small Vehicle Core Team Leader.

Craig R. Love who leads the Activity and Premium Vehicle Product Team will have the new title of Vice President - Rear-Wheel Drive Product Team and Core Team Leader. Love was formerly Vice President - Activity and Premium Vehicle Product Teams.

Michael F. Donoughe is appointed Vice President - Body-on-Frame Product Team and Core Team Leader. Donoughe was formerly Vice President - Family Vehicle Product Team and Family Vehicle Core Team Leader.

All three positions report to Eric R. Ridenour, Executive Vice President - Product Development.

In addition, a new team has been formed to provide greater focus on advanced development of core components and systems and standardized processes across all product teams.

Frank O. Klegon is appointed to a new position, Vice President - Product Development Process and Components. Klegon, the former Vice President - Truck Product Team, will also report to Ridenour.

Reporting to Klegon are component team leaders including William H. Mattingly, Vice President - Electrical/Electronics Engineering Core; Robert E. Lee, Vice President - Power Train Product Team; William A. Grabowski, who is appointed Director - Body-In-White Exterior Core Team Leader; Matthew C. Reynolds, who is appointed Director - Interior Core Team Leader and Duane A. Spytman who is appointed Director - Chassis Core Team Leader.

Areas involved in development processes -- testing, validation and a new position for the oversight of quality processes -- will also now report to Klegon, including Donald E. Goodwin, Vice President - Scientific Laboratories & Proving Grounds; Roger P. Lundberg, Director - Process (Chrysler Development System & Vehicle Engineering Operations) and Anthony T. Elias, who is appointed Director - Product Development Process Quality.

Also reporting to Klegon is Deborah L. Morrissett, Vice President - Regulatory Affairs.

The following positions continue to report to Ridenour: Mark M. Chernoby, Vice President - Advance Vehicle Engineering; Stephen J. Bartoli, Vice President - Strategy and Daniel C. Knott, Director - Street and Racing Technology.

(May 6, 2004)