Chrysler purge

["Charles Brown" <CharlesB@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Chrysler purge claims 3 more execs
Another 24 German managers headed for Auburn Hills


 By Bill Vlasic, and Daniel Howes / The Detroit News

    AUBURN HILLS -- The new German chief of the Chrysler Group ousted three more American executives Monday and promised that "painful" steps will be taken to restore the U.S. division to profitability.
   On his first day on the job, Dieter Zetsche demanded and received the resignations of three executives closely tied to former Chrysler President James P. Holden, who was fired last week by DaimlerChrysler AG Chairman Juergen Schrempp.
   Zetsche, who became Chrysler president on Friday, and Wolfgang Bernhard, who was named chief operating officer, are expected to install a bevy of German managers.
   Executives in the United States and Germany said privately that at least 24 German managers will be dispatched to Auburn Hills to implement Zetsche's restructuring plans.
   "Of course, some people will come and stay for awhile," said Michael Pfister, a DaimlerChrysler spokesman in Germany. "But I cannot confirm any number."
   Those forced out Monday were Theodor "Ted" Cunningham, the executive vice-president of sales; Kathleen Oswald, the division's chief administrative officer and highest-ranking woman; and Antonio "Tony" Cervone, the head of public relations who had rejoined Chrysler just more than two months ago.
   The departures came as Zetsche and Schrempp addressed the top 400 Chrysler managers Monday afternoon and circulated a blunt e-mail afterwards to thousands of other employees.
   The drama of the management shake-up was underscored by the continued free-fall of DaimlerChrysler's stock price. Company shares hit an all-time low Monday, closing at $40.10, down $2.75 in New York trading, mirroring a similar slide in Frankfurt earlier in the day.

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