Big Reaction To New Book On DaimlerChrysler Deal!

June 5, 2000 

A new book about the DaimlerChrysler merger is making a lot of waves. This
is Jeff Gilbert, with The Car Chronicles coming up on WWJ Newsradio 950

A lot of DaimlerChrysler employees have been very interested in the new book
"Taken For A Ride: How Daimler-Benz Drove Off With Chrysler," written by
Bill Vlasic and Brad Stertz of the Detroit News. Vlasic says there were
things he found out researching the book that surprised him

I guess the most surprising thing for me was how Mercedes approached
Chrysler for a deal of some sort immediately after Kirk Kerkorian announced
he was going to buy the company in 1995.

That was two years before the DaimlerChrysler deal was announced. Kirk
Kerkorian's takeover fizzled out, but the Daimler Benz interest only
intensified

Within forty eight hours, Mercedes, there CEO at the time, Helmet Werner,
was approaching Bob Eaton about a deal. At the time, we were watching Kirk
Kerkorian, but there were really things happening behind the scenes that
lead up to the merger.

While some executives haven't been particularly flattered with their
portrayal in the book, Vlasic says nobody has challenged the accuracy.

With The Car Chronicles, I'm Jeff Gilbert, WWJ Newsradio 950.

Quite a response to a new book about the DaimlerChrysler merger. This is
Jeff Gilbert, with The Car Chronicles coming up on WWJ Newsradio 950.

With tales of a Bob Eaton in tears, and Jurgen Schremp as a party animal, a
new book is causing quite a stir at DaimlerChrysler. Taken For A Ride: How
Daimler-Benz Drove Off With Chrysler was written by Detroit News Editor Brad
Stertz and veteran news auto writer Bill Vlasic

I don't think the merger, or acquisition has turned out the way a lot of
people inside or outside the company thought it would.

Vlasic says some people had their feathers ruffled by the book, which
attempted to tell the entire story of the DaimlerBenz takeover of Chrysler,
but nobody said they were wrong

None of the facts have been challenged. We're told that both in Stutgart
and Auburn Hills, they are calling it accurate.

Vlasic says he and Stertz wrote the book because it was a story they wanted
to hear.

With The Car Chronicles, I'm Jeff Gilbert, WWJ Newsradio 950.