Salaries for DaimlerChrysler management board down in 2006

FRANKFURT, Germany: Managers at German-U.S. automaker DaimlerChrysler AG earned less money in 2006 than the previous year, but senior company officials — including CEO Dieter Zetsche — still made millions.

In the company's annual report, published Tuesday, the world's fifth-largest automaker said Zetsche received €5.09 million (US$6.7 million) in 2006 while Thomas LaSorda, CEO and president of the ailing Chrysler Group, earned €2.4 million (US$3.16 million).

The figures for their salaries in 2005 were not immediately available.

The total for salaries for all of the company's management board was €20.5 million (US$27 million), down from €34.9 million (US$45.9 million) a year earlier.

Zetsche's current term as CEO lasts until 2010 while LaSorda's term is through 2012.