DaimlerChrysler's Toluca Assembly Plant Marks Manufacturing Milestone
To the cheers of a large crowd made up of DaimlerChrysler Toluca Assembly Plant employees and invited guests, Chrysler Group Chief Operating Officer Eric Ridenour announced that the Toluca facility recently reached a major milestone: the production of the 1 millionth Chrysler PT Cruiser. The Toluca Assembly Plant is home of the Chrysler PT Cruiser sedan and convertible models. Production began in March 2000.

The celebration came on the heels of a $1 billion joint investment announcement between DaimlerChrysler and its suppliers to modernize and re-tool its Mexican Manufacturing Operations and to create two industrial parks for suppliers.

"This significant manufacturing milestone reflects the global market demand for the Chrysler PT Cruiser," said Ridenour. "The Chrysler PT Cruiser set new world standards with its unique styling and interior roominess. The bottom line is that consumers are demanding more of our remarkable products, and our Toluca Assembly Plant employees played a key role in the success of this vehicle."

Other special guests at today's ceremony included Mexico President Vicente Fox; Joe ChamaSrour, President and Managing Director – DaimlerChrysler de Mexico; Roberto Gutierrez, Vice President of Manufacturing – DaimlerChrysler Mexico; Jose Chaparro, Plant Manager – Toluca Assembly Plant; Mexico Governor Enrique Pena Nieto; and Hugo Diaz, General Leader – DaimlerChrysler de Mexico Union.

"Six years ago, DaimlerChrysler launched a whole new generation of segment-busting vehicles when we began building the Chrysler PT Cruiser at this plant," said ChamaSrour. "From the beginning, these vehicles have won wide acclaim from automotive writers and from the global car-buying public. It's unique, it's popular and most of all, it's an important part of the DaimlerChrysler family."

Completely updated for the 2006 model year, the Chrysler PT Cruiser continues to lead the segment in style, versatility, quality and performance. In addition to many exterior upgrades, the 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser and Chrysler PT Cruiser Convertible feature all-new interiors, improved performance and a boost of horsepower, giving the available High-Output Turbo engine a power boost for 2006, now rated at 230 horsepower (171.5 kW) and 245 lb.-ft. (332 N•m) of torque, up from the previous 220 horsepower. Chrysler PT Cruiser sales have also seen a boost. Sales of this one-of-a-kind vehicle were up 16 percent in the United Sates for the 2005 calendar year.

Since the launch of the Chrysler PT Cruiser, DaimlerChrysler has received more than 30 international awards for the innovative vehicle.

Awards the vehicle has won include:

2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser, Consumer Guide, "Best Buy - Compact Cars Category"

2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser, Consumer Reports, "Recommended"

2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser, Edmunds.com, "Most Significant"

2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser, AutoPacific, "Top Vehicle customer satisfaction"

2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser, North American International Auto Show, "North American Car of the Year"

2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser, African Americans on Wheels and Latinos on Wheels, "Car of the Year"

2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser, Strategic Vision, "Compact Car Segment"

2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser, Industrial Design Excellence, "Gold Award"

2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser, Automobile Magazine, "Best Small Car"

The Toluca Assembly Plant is the sole producer of Chrysler PT Cruiser. The vehicle is sold in 60 countries around the world.

DaimlerChrysler Announces $1 Billion Investment in Mexican Operations
Investment in Toluca Assembly Plant will improve manufacturing flexibility

New industrial parks will focus on modular assembly systems

DaimlerChrysler announced yesterday a $1 billion investment in its Mexican Manufacturing and Supplier Operations, to modernize and re-tool the facilities and to create new industrial parks for suppliers. The investment, the bulk of which will take place in 2006, includes upgrades to the Toluca Assembly Plant, the creation of two supplier parks, and additional operational improvements.
The investment will provide the Toluca facility with the flexibility to manufacture derivative models on one assembly line.

"The decision to invest in Mexico would not have been possible without the support of the union and the Mexican government's commitment to the automotive sector," said Chrysler Group Chief Operating Officer Eric Ridenour. "Our Mexican Manufacturing Operations have earned this investment by embracing flexible work force processes."

Mexico President Vicente Fox and Ridenour made the announcement along with plant employees, Mexico Governor Enrique Pena Nieto; DaimlerChrysler Mexico President and Managing Director Joe ChamaSrour; DaimlerChrysler Mexico Vice President of Manufacturing Roberto Gutierrez; and DaimlerChrysler de Mexico General Union Leader Hugo Diaz Covarrubias.

The improvements at the Toluca Assembly Plant will include an all-new body shop with state-of-the-art manufacturing capabilities. New robotics will have the capability to make necessary tool changes automatically within cycle time, thus amplifying the plant's flexibility.

The Toluca Assembly Plant will have the capability to vary its product mix to better respond to customer demand.

The newly built and jointly funded supplier parks will enhance plant operations and focus on increasing modular assembly systems. The supplier parks will provide head liners, cockpits, front-end modules and front and rear suspensions. The location of the supplier parks, near the Toluca facility, will provide just-in-time production for the plant.