DaimlerChrysler Donates 100 Dodge Trucks and Needed Supplies, Continuing Hurricane Katrina Relief Efforts

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DaimlerChrysler Donates 100 Dodge Trucks and Needed Supplies, Continuing Hurricane Katrina Relief Efforts

     - Commitment to relief effort tops $4.4 million

     - St. Louis and Detroit employee volunteers will drive Dodge Ram, Dakota
       and Durango convoy from St. Louis to Alabama, Mississippi and
       Louisiana

     - 100 Dodge trucks will be donated to State and Local Government
       agencies engaged in relief efforts along the Gulf Coast

    AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Sept. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- "When the going gets tough,
the tough get going" is more than just a phrase to the Chrysler Group and its
philanthropic arm, the DaimlerChrysler Corporation Fund. Although the
devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina could aptly be described as more than
"tough," Chrysler Group will answer the call with a donation of 100 of its
most powerful and capable vehicles -- the Dodge Ram, Durango and Dakota -- to
help those in need.
    "DaimlerChrysler has a tradition of making a difference in communities
that have been damaged due to tragedy," said Frank Fountain, Chrysler Group
Senior Vice President -- External Affairs and Public Policy, and President of
the DaimlerChrysler Corporation Fund. "We are now identifying ways to utilize
our Dodge trucks to go beyond the grounds of disaster areas and help rebuild
neighborhoods and communities. Through this effort, we want to help ensure
that the needs of the less fortunate are not forgotten." The 100 Dodge trucks
will form a traveling convoy and depart Tuesday, Sept. 13 from St. Louis. The
vehicle procession will consist of 10 Dodge Dakotas, 10 Dodge Durangos and 80
Dodge Rams. The Dodge trucks will be donated to governmental agencies along
the Gulf Coast. Mississippi will receive 50 of the trucks, Louisiana 40, and
10 will be disbursed to Alabama. The 20 vehicles leading the caravan will be
filled with needed aid items, including non-perishable food, water and tools,
and delivered to local relief agencies.
    "The support from DaimlerChrysler employees, retirees and dealers has been
overwhelming," said Fountain. "Our Dodge truck donation allows DaimlerChrysler
to continue to make a lasting difference to the Gulf Coast communities and to
lend a hand as a good neighbor and good citizen."
    United Auto Workers from Warren (Mich.) Truck Assembly Plant and other
Chrysler Group employees will start the procession on Sunday, Sept. 11 driving
10 new Dodge Dakotas from the Detroit-area plant to St. Louis.
    The vehicle donation is part of the $4.4 million in assistance provided by
DaimlerChrysler to the American Red Cross and Gulf Coast communities damaged
by Hurricane Katrina.

    Additional Hurricane Katrina Relief Efforts
    In addition, the Company has geared up to assist in relief efforts in a
number of ways, including:

     -- DaimlerChrysler Aviation Services flew six DC-8 cargo airplanes to the
        Gulf Coast (Shreveport, La., and Bay St. Louis, Miss.) in support of
        Hurricane Katrina Relief efforts. The cargo included: hospital beds,
        water, food, medical supplies, generators and clothing.
     -- Mercedes-Benz U.S. International (MBUSI) worked with the Red Cross to
        convert part of the Mercedes-Benz Training Institute (Tuscaloosa
        County, Ala.) into a temporary emergency shelter. Since opening, more
        than 400 people have used its services, which include food, showers,
        washers, dryers, telephones and computer services. Through on-site Red
        Cross assistance, individuals are receiving vouchers for gas, food,
        housing assistance, medical support and help enrolling children in
        local schools.
     -- DaimlerChrysler Services will launch a special finance-rate assistance
        program for victims affected by Hurricane Katrina, including a 120-day
        payment deferral for current lessees. This is in addition to the
        current customer relief efforts previously announced.

    DaimlerChrysler Services also has created dedicated customer service
representatives specifically for Hurricane Katrina victims -- Chrysler
Financial (800) 556-8172; Mercedes-Benz Credit at (800) 654-6222.
    The DaimlerChrysler Corporation Fund is the primary source of charitable
grants made by DaimlerChrysler Corporation. Now in its 53rd year, the Fund
annually supports hundreds of charitable organizations throughout the United
States and, increasingly, around the world.

SOURCE Chrysler Group

http://www.media.daimlerchrysler.com

http://www.daimlerchrysler.com
CONTACT:
Curtrise Garner, +1-248-761-8309,
cg61@daimlerchrysler.com, or David Elshoff, +1-248-797-2300,
dte@daimlerchrysler.com, both of DaimlerChrysler
NOTE TO EDITORS: Additional information and news from
DaimlerChrysler is available on the Internet at:
http://www.media.daimlerchrysler.com.