posted 03-28-2001 06:54 AM         

Chrysler Group Restructures Field Organizations To Empower Local Management

Auburn Hills, Mich. --
The Chrysler Group has restructured its field organization to create five Regional Business Centers, with greater responsibility for sales and service in each region. In doing so, each Business Center is empowered to make decisions relative to vehicle content, incentives and
marketing in each respective region.

"The market requirements for selling trucks in Texas is different than in New York, so why should we try to apply a national sales and marketing approach equally to both egions?" said Gary E. Dilts, Chrysler Group Senior Vice President - Sales. "We'll give the Regional Business Center management the resources necessary to make the smart decisions to respond quickly to local market demands.

"The five Regional Business Centers are located in Detroit, New York, Orlando, Dallas and Los Angeles and will be responsible for managing significant advertising, incentive, product and distribution decisions. The Business Centers will be supported locally with Finance, Legal, Marketing, Parts & Service, Fleet, Customer Relations, Training and Warranty personnel.

The 25 existing Chrysler Group zone offices will continue to operate, but with a downsized staff. Some zone employees will be re-deployed to the Regional Business Centers or moved into the field to work more closely with dealers.

"The restructuring of our field organization is being done in an effort to more directly service our dealers and their local markets," said Dilts. "The resulting organization will be leaner, faster and more responsive."