DaimlerChrysler's Chrysler Jeep(R) Grand Cherokee Has Best Sales

Month Ever Outside North America AUBURN HILLS, Mich. (PROTEXT) - The Jeep Grand Cherokee andthe Chrysler 300M led the charge for DaimlerChryslerCorporation's (NYSE: DCX) Chrysler and Jeep brands in Europe,with the Grand Cherokee having its best sales month ever outsidethe U.S. and the 300M turning in the second-hottest sales monthsince it was launched internationally last year. The Chrysler andJeep brands saw double-digit sales increases during May inSwitzerland, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and Italy. Sales outside the U.S. as a whole for Dodge, Chrysler and Jeepbrands were down 9 percent in May, with 16,349 cars and trucksdelivered to customers, compared to 18,040 sold during the sameperiod in 1998. Of the total, 5,290 were Grand Cherokees and 800were 300Ms. "The Grand Cherokee was our No. 1 seller outside North Americafor the first time in May, while 300M sales continue to pick upspeed," said Theodor R. Cunningham, Executive Vice President,International and Latin America and General Manager ChryslerTruck Operations. "We're seeing a gradual easing of the Asian andLatin American economic crises, which should mean continued salesmomentum going forward." Sales totaled 9,886 in Europe, an 11 percent jump over May1998's 8,931. Latin America sales were 3,745, a 24 percent dipfrom May 1998's 4,907. Bright spots, however, included bothBrazil and Puerto Rico; Brazil seeing a 41 percent climb, PuertoRico an 18 percent rise. In addition, the Dodge Dakota and theGrand Cherokee both realized sales increases in Latin America forthe month, Dakota posted sales of 537, compared to 149 in May1998; and Grand Cherokee was at 1,320 versus 1,111 for the sameperiod last year. In other regions, Asia Pacific sales were1,647, a 47 percent decrease and Middle East Africa, with salesof 1,039, a 4 percent dip from May 1998. ots Original TextService: DaimlerChrysler Corporation Internet:http://www.newsaktuell.de Contact: Melinda Wilson, 248-512-2317or Rick Deneau, 248-512-2694, both of DaimlerChrysler Web site:http://www.media.daimlerchrysler.com