Chrysler Group Celebrates Black History Month

    AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Feb. 3 -- Chrysler Group,
along with the DaimlerChrysler African American Network (DCAAN) will launch a
month-long celebration of Black History Month starting today.  The celebration
will include an exhibit, an employee choir performance, and guest speakers at
its Auburn Hills facility throughout the month of February.  DCAAN is one of
Chrysler Group's six employee resource groups.
    "Our celebration is designed to foster awareness of Black History Month
and to provide a global context of the contributions of African Americans,"
said Dieter Zetsche, President and CEO of Chrysler Group.  "At Chrysler Group,
we believe we will be a stronger Company by understanding and appreciating the
diverse strengths, talents, educational backgrounds, and life experiences of
our workforce -- and celebrating Black History Month does that."
    Highlights of Chrysler Group activities celebrating Black History Month:

    * Former Detroit Mayor Dennis Archer will speak to Chrysler Group
      employees on Wednesday, February 19 at 5:30 p.m. at the Auburn Hills
      facility.
    * The DaimlerChrysler Choir, a multicultural group of singers, will
      perform various songs that highlight Black History Month for employees
      on Wednesday, February 26, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Auburn Hills
      facility.
    * An exhibit featuring the nation's historically black colleges and
      universities will be displayed throughout the month at the Auburn Hills
      facility to highlight the significant role of black institutions in
      preparing individuals for success.

    Additional exhibits will highlight Chrysler Group's African-American
supplier base and its dealerships.  The top African-American owned companies
and top African-American executives will also be featured in a display at Tech
Plaza.
    Throughout the month, a series of facts about African American history
will be broadcast on the company's internal television network to its
worldwide operations.  Additionally, the broadcasts will feature commentary
from Chrysler Group's African American executives and suppliers about the
historical and cultural importance of Black History Month.
    Chrysler Group has an ongoing commitment to Diversity throughout its
entire business enterprise, including its employee structure, supplier base
and dealership network.  Last year, Chrysler Group was named "Company of the
Year" by the Michigan Minority Business Development Council for its continual
support of growing minority business among its supplier base.
    Chrysler Group's observation of Black History Month is part of the
national celebration that began in 1926 when Dr. Carter G. Woodson, a black
historian and educator, introduced Negro History Week.  Woodson chose a week
in February because both Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglas celebrated
birthdays during that time.  History has shown that the contributions of both
men dramatically affected the lives of African-Americans.
    In 1976, the Association for the Study of Afro-American Life and History
succeeded in promoting the week of celebration into Black History Month.
Since that time, Black History Month has evolved into an annual observation of
African American history and culture.