Mercedes 1999 Annual Report Download - page 43

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CHRYSLER GROUP
37
passengers through its tall architecture and panoramic
seating. At the 2000 North American International Auto
Show in Detroit, the division unveiled four new concepts:
the Chrysler 300 Hemi C rear-wheel-drive convertible; the
Dodge MAXXcab, a four-door pickup with a short bed and
car-like interior; the Jeep Varsity, a small sport-utility with
the refined look of a European car; and the Dodge Viper
GTS/R, a step toward the next generation of muscle cars.
E-COMMERCE GROWTH. The explosive growth of e-commerce
capabilities provides substantial opportunities. The Chrysler
Group division is establishing an internal “e-Connect” organ-
ization that will coordinate and communicate its entry
into a variety of e-commerce business-to-business and busi-
ness-to-consumer initiatives. Over the last two years, the
division has developed a fully integrated and networked Web
infrastructure that will allow it to move with industry-leading
speed and efficiency further into the e-commerce arena.
FIVE STAR CUSTOMER SERVICE. The company sharpened its
focus on customer service in 1999 by bolstering its trademark
Five-Star process for ensuring customer-service excellence. A
national advertising campaign underlined dealers’ ongoing
commitment to providing well-trained employees, consistent,
customer-focused processes, and clean, efficient facilities. In
addition, the division launched Five Star Market Centers in
1999, a web-based ordering service for reducing dealership
expenses.
A FOCUS ON SAFETY.
In 1999, DaimlerChrysler was the first
automaker to offer its customers in the US free child-safety
seat inspections. Through a partnership with Fisher Price Inc.
and the National Safety Council, the “Fit for a Kid” service is
more than doubling the number of certified child-safety seat
inspectors in the US and is creating the capacity to inspect
and ensure proper installation of 800,000 seats annually.
SUCCESS ON THE TRACK. The Dodge brand’s presence in
motorsports is growing. In 2001, the brand will return to
NASCAR Winston Cup racing, which attracted more than 10
million spectators and 112 million TV viewers in 1999. The
Dodge Viper road racing program has won the North Ameri-
can Super Touring Series, the LeMans 24 Hours twice and the
FIA GT2 Championship three times. Dodge Ram teams are
frequent winners in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.
And in cooperation with DaimlerChrysler Team Mopar
engineers, driver Mark Kinser won the 1999 World of Outlaws
sprint car racing championship.
Jeep Jamborees, Camp Jeep and Jeep 101
events provide customers with an opportunity
to experience the off-road capability of their
vehicles. Each year, more than 50,000 Jeep
owners participate in these programs.
Total
of which: Passenger cars
Trucks
Minivans
SUVs
United States
Canada
Mexico
Rest of the world
1,000
Units
99:98
(in %)
Vehicle Sales 1999
3,229 +4
906 -3
741 +3
682 -1
900 +20
2,693 +6
268 +3
91 -5
177 -6