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June 08, 2005
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This Week:

• V10 High-Performance Power Unit Featured In The BMW M5 / M6 Is Awarded The Title "Engine Of The Year 2005"

• GM's Oshawa #1 is Most Productive Assembly Plant in North America

• Mercedes Car Group Sells 96,400 Passenger Cars in May

• Toyota Motor North America Inducted Into Billion Dollar Roundtable

• The new Passat Estate - Next generation of the 4.3 million bestseller starts in August

• Gary Moyer Appointed New President For Aston Martin Jaguar Land Rover Canada

• Porsche: All-time sales record in North America

• Chrysler Group Manufacturing Productivity Gains Continue, According to Harbour Report

• Crash test in the USA: Top marks again for the Audi A4

• Hyundai's Expanding Model Line Up Strengthened by All-New Entourage Minivan

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The annual Harbour Report is a broadly accepted measure of productivity in the automotive industry. Nearly all major manufacturers participate in the survey. According to Ron Harbour, President -- Harbour Consulting, Chrysler Group's manufacturing productivity is supported by improvements throughout the company.

"Unlike past recoveries, the Chrysler Group's new products are supported by some dramatic quality and productivity improvements at the plant level, linked to unprecedented involvement of the design, engineering and purchasing organizations," said Harbour.

Among the highlights for the Chrysler Group, transmission productivity is the best in the industry and the Company's engine productivity was most improved. Company plants were also the leader in five segments. During the survey period, the Chrysler Group launched nine new vehicles, the most in any one year in its history.

Frank Ewasyshyn has led Chrysler Group's Manufacturing efforts as Executive Vice President for the last year. Tom LaSorda, now Chrysler Group's Chief Operating Officer, was the head of manufacturing operations for the two prior years.

Five Chrysler Group plants scored at the top of their segment. They are:

• Sub-compact car Belvidere, (Ill.) Assembly Plant

• Minivan St. Louis South Assembly Plant

• Front-wheel drive transmission Kokomo (Ind.) Transmission Plant

• Rear-wheel drive transmission Kokomo (Ind.)Transmission Plant

• 8-Cylinder OHV engine (Hemi) Saltillo (Mexico) Engine Plant

Powertrain

The Chrysler Group transmission productivity improved 4.6 percent-- to 3.86 hours per transmission, the industry benchmark. And the Company's engine productivity was the most improved in the industry at 9.5 percent, to 3.99 hours per engine.

Assembly

For the first time, a Chrysler Group assembly plant scored in the top 10 overall. Belvidere Assembly placed seventh at18.7 HPV. Also in assembly, all 10 (of 13 total) assembly plants that were not in product changeover improved in HPV.

Stamping Chrysler also demonstrated expertise in stamping operations. Belvidere (Ill.) and Toluca (Mexico) were among the top 10 stamping plants. Further, Sterling (Sterling Heights, Mich.) Stamping had the lowest average die changeover time in the major progressive press segment, and Toluca Stamping was tied for first in lowest average die changeover time in the transfer press segment.

The Company is employing a number of initiatives intended to continue improving manufacturing excellence in the future. Among them are increased support of assembly employees, continued employee training and new workplace practices that are designed to foster greater creativity and innovation among employees on the plant floor. The company will also redesign material handling operations and employee work-stations, and will continue to invest in plants.

(June 02, 2005)