DaimlerChrysler Outlines Commitment to Alternative Fuels at National Biodiesel Board Conference

• Deb Morrissett, Vice President of Regulatory Affairs, urges the biodiesel community to expedite setting a national fuel specification for biodiesel
• National fuel standard needed to 'harness and direct the diverse research and investment efforts'

SAN ANTONIO, Feb. 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- In a speech at the
National Biodiesel Board Annual Conference today, Deb Morrissett, Vice
President of Regulatory Affairs for the Chrysler Group, encouraged the
biodiesel industry to continue their development of a national standard for
B20 as automobile manufacturers focus more resources on producing diesel
vehicles capable of running on the fuel.

"To speed the adoption of biodiesel, and to help harness and direct the
diverse research and investment efforts going into its development, we need
to expedite setting a national fuel specification for biodiesel, just as we
have for other fuels," said Morrissett. "I'm looking forward to the time
when anyone can fuel up with B20, but we're not there yet."

Morrissett also promised that more vehicles capable of running on the
renewable fuel are on the horizon: "I want to encourage you to stay tuned
-- because, drawing on the diesel expertise of DaimlerChrysler and partners
like Cummins, we intend to keep building our diesel leadership in the years
to come."

Last month, DaimlerChrysler AG's Chairman Dieter Zetsche introduced the
2007 Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500 with 6.7-liter Cummins turbodiesel engine
offered with B5 and B20 biodiesel, available to consumers in March. The
first to do so and three years before the deadline, the heavy duty truck
will meet stringent 2010 truck emissions standards in all 50 states. He
also announced the Dodge Ram clean, light-duty turbodiesel engine, that
will provide up to 30-percent improved fuel economy and meet 50-state 2010
emissions standards, will be available after 2009.

In addition to leadership in the development of clean diesel
technologies, DaimlerChrysler is a global leader among automakers in using
and promoting renewable fuel sources. Approximately 15,000 Jeep(R) Liberty
CRD diesels were delivered to customers running on B5. In 2007, Dodge Ram
diesel pickups and the Jeep Grand Cherokee CRD with 3.0-liter, common rail,
turbo-diesel engine, will also be fueled with B5 at the factory. These
vehicles are approved for regular use with B5 biodiesel fuel, and the 2007
Dodge Ram is approved for use of B20 for commercial, government and
military fleets which use military specification biodiesel fuel.

In addition to Morrissett's remarks, Loren Beard, Manager of Fuel
Legislation, Regulation and Policy and Scott Schramm, Manager of Regulatory
and Technical Affairs also addressed the group regarding engine warranty
issues, the OEM experience with alternative fuels and navigating new
regulations.

Advanced diesel technology is part of the Chrysler Group's advanced
propulsion technology umbrella, which also includes efficient gasoline
engines, hybrids, flex-fuel vehicles, electric vehicles and a test fleet of
more than 100 fuel cell-powered vehicles.

In 2007, DaimlerChrysler will produce more than 250,000 flexible-fuel
vehicles (FFVs) capable of running on E85 fuel, conventional gasoline or
any combination of the two fuels. The company's FFV fleet will increase to
nearly 500,000 in 2008. The 2007 FFV lineup includes:

* Jeep Grand Cherokee, Jeep Commander, Dodge Durango and Chrysler Aspen
SUVs (4.7-liter engine)
* Dodge Ram and Dodge Dakota pickups (4.7-liter engine)
* Chrysler Sebring sedan (2.7-liter engine)
* Dodge Caravan, Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country minivans
(3.3-liter engine)

The Chrysler Group, headquartered in Auburn Hills, Mich., produces
Chrysler, Jeep(R), Dodge and Mopar(R) brand vehicles and products. Total
sales worldwide in 2006 were 2.7 million vehicles. Sales outside of North
America were the highest in a decade with an increase of 15 percent over
2005. On the heels of the company's record product launch year (Chrysler
Group launched 10 all-new vehicles in 2006), the company plans to extend
that streak with eight all-new products in 2007. Its product lineup
features some of the world's most recognizable vehicles, including the
Chrysler 300, Jeep Commander and Dodge Charger. The Chrysler Group is a
unit of DaimlerChrysler AG, the world's fifth largest automaker, which
produces passenger and commercial vehicles, including the Mercedes-Benz,
Maybach, smart and Freightliner brands.


SOURCE Chrysler Group