DaimlerChrysler donates trucks, supplies to Katrina relief

The Chrysler Group and its philanthropic arm, the DaimlerChrysler Corp. Fund, are donating 100 vehicles and supplies to aid the Katrina relief efforts.

The 100 Dodge trucks will form a traveling convoy and depart Tuesday, Sept. 13 from St. Louis. The vehicle procession will consist of 10 Dodge Dakotas, 10 Dodge Durangos, and 80 Dodge Rams. The trucks will be donated to governmental agencies along the Gulf Coast. Mississippi will receive 50 of the trucks, Louisiana 40, and 10 will be disbursed to Alabama. The 20 vehicles leading the caravan will be filled with needed aid items, including non-perishable food, water, and tools, and delivered to local relief agencies.

United Auto Workers from Warren (Mich.) Truck Assembly Plant and other Chrysler Group employees will start the procession on Sunday, Sept. 11 driving 10 new Dodge Dakotas from the Detroit-area plant to St. Louis.

The vehicle donation is part of the $4.4 million in assistance provided by DaimlerChrysler to the American Red Cross and Gulf Coast communities damaged by Hurricane Katrina.

In addition, the Company has geared up to assist in relief efforts in a number of ways, including:

• DaimlerChrysler Aviation Services flew six DC-8 cargo airplanes to the Gulf Coast (Shreveport, La., and Bay St. Louis, Miss.) in support of Hurricane Katrina Relief efforts. The cargo included: hospital beds, water, food, medical supplies, generators and clothing.
• Mercedes-Benz U.S. International (MBUSI) worked with the Red Cross to convert part of the Mercedes-Benz Training Institute (Tuscaloosa County, Ala.) into a temporary emergency shelter. Since opening, more than 400 people have used its services, which include food, showers, washers, dryers, telephones, and computer services. Through on-site Red Cross assistance, individuals are receiving vouchers for gas, food, housing assistance, medical support and help enrolling children in local schools.
• DaimlerChrysler Services will launch a special finance-rate assistance program for victims affected by Hurricane Katrina, including a 120-day payment deferral for current lessees. This is in addition to the current customer relief efforts previously announced.

DaimlerChrysler Services also has created dedicated customer service representatives specifically for Hurricane Katrina victims—Chrysler Financial (800) 556-8172; Mercedes-Benz Credit at (800) 654-6222.