Stellantis Media Site Diesel in the United States                                                Contact:                                                             Andy                         Bowman                                                                                                                                                                                   Diesel in the United States                                                                                                                                                           July 17, 2005,                                                                                                                      Auburn Hills, Mich.                                                       -                                               The new era of DaimlerChrysler diesel passenger vehicles in North America began with the market launches of the Mercedes-Benz E320 CDI and the 2005 Jeep® Liberty CRD. The rebirth of the diesel passenger-car market in the U.S. is made possible by advances in diesel technology, such as common-rail direct-injection fuel systems and advances in precision computer controls that have created today’s modern clean-running diesel powertrains. Consumer interest in the products has been high. The original production run of E320s sold out, and Mercedes-Benz responded with additional production. Even before the Jeep Liberty CRD was launched, more than 60,000 potential customers called and emailed their interest in the new product – the first mid-sized SUV on the market in the U.S. There are good reasons why customers are expressing interest in the new diesel products:    30 percent improvement in fuel economy   20 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions   Extended driving range between fueling stops   Powerful low-end torque that makes the vehicles fun to drive   Enhanced towing capacity   There are challenges still to be met if diesel vehicles are to capture a significant share of the passenger vehicle market in North America, and the industry is working hard to meet those challenges. This special report on Diesel in the U.S. provides a comprehensive view of DaimlerChrysler’s leadership in diesel technology and the marketing of clean-running, powerful, fuel-efficient, high-performance diesel vehicles in the U.S.