An all-new crossover vehicle based on the award-winning Honda Accord will go on-sale in the fall of 2009 as the “Accord Crosstour,” American Honda Motor Co., Inc., announced today. This new addition to the Honda lineup will be sold as a 2010 model. Additional information will be announced later in the year.
For more information about all Honda vehicles, visit www.honda.com

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Honda: All-new Honda Accord Crosstour to Arrive in Fall 2009

•    Daimler increases share capital by 10% with exclusion of subscription rights of existing shareholders
•    After acquiring all new shares, Aabar will hold 9.1% of the new share capital
•    Issue price of €20.27 per share close to the current market price
•    Total investment of €1.95 billion further strengthens Daimler’s sound capital base and offers additional flexibility to invest in new automotive technologies
•    Platform for joint strategic initiatives established
•    Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG: “We are delighted to welcome Aabar as a new major shareholder that is supportive of our corporate strategy. We look forward to working together to pursue joint strategic initiatives.”

•    HE Khadem Al Qubaisi, Chairman of Aabar: “Daimler is an iconic brand and a financially strong company with a reputation for excellence worldwide. We are delighted to having received the opportunity to be making this investment.”

Stuttgart – Daimler AG (stock-exchange abbreviation DAI) welcomes Aabar Investments PJSC (Aabar) of Abu Dhabi, as a major investor. Daimler increases the share capital by approx. 10% with exclusion of subscription rights of existing shareholders. After acquiring all new shares, Aabar will hold approx. 9.1% of the new share capital. The capital increase was approved by Daimler’s Supervisory Board today.
Aabar is an investment company headquartered in Abu Dhabi and is listed on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange.  It directly invests in various sectors including energy, infrastructure, real estate, automotive and financial services companies.  Its largest stakeholder is the International Petroleum Investment Company (IPIC), which in turn is wholly owned by the Government of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.
The capital increase will be carried out by issuing 96,408,000 new registered no par value shares of Daimler’s Authorised Capital approved by the Annual Shareholders´ Meeting of April 9, 2008 in exchange for cash contributions. Existing shareholders’ rights to subscribe to these new shares are excluded. The issue price of the shares is €20.27 per share, resulting in an equity contribution for Daimler of €1.95 billion.
Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars: “We are delighted to welcome  Aabar as a new major shareholder that is supportive of our corporate strategy. We look forward to working together to pursue joint strategic initiatives.”
Khadem Al Qubaisi, Chairman Aabar: “Daimler is an iconic brand and a financially strong company with a reputation for excellence worldwide.  We are delighted to have the opportunity to make this investment and are excited by the commercial potential of our partnership. We believe that our future cooperation will be beneficial for Aabar and create social and economic benefits for Abu Dhabi and the United Arab Emirates.  We look forward to working with Daimler to fully realize these opportunities.”

The future cooperation will focus on joint initiatives in the following areas:

•    Electric vehicles with a particular focus on projects aiming at the reduction of CO2-emissions
•    Development and/or production of innovative compound materials to be used in automotive manufacturing
•    Social projects such as the establishment of a training centre in Abu Dhabi to educate young talent for positions in the automotive industry
The cash inflow from the capital increase of €1.95 billion will further improve Daimler’s sound financial position. At the end of 2008, the equity ratio of Daimler’s industrial business was 42.7% and the equity ratio of the entire Daimler Group was 24.3%.
The investment complements a broad range of initiatives already undertaken by Daimler to react to the changing market environment, further strengthens its solid capital base and gives even greater flexibility to invest in innovative automotive technologies during a period of economic uncertainty and macroeconomic instability.

With Abu Dhabi and Kuwait, Daimler will have two major shareholders in the future. Kuwait has held an equity interest since 1974. Following the capital increase, the equity interest held by Kuwait will amount to 6.9%.

Further information from Daimler is available at www.media.daimler.com
Further information about Aabar can be found at www.aabar.com

This document contains forward-looking statements that reflect our current views about future events. The words “anticipate,” “assume,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “project,” “should” and similar expressions are used to identify forward-looking statements. These statements are subject to many risks and uncertainties, including a lack of improvement or a further deterioration of global economic conditions; a continuation or worsening of the turmoil in the credit and financial markets, which could result in ongoing high borrowing costs or limit our funding flexibility; changes in currency exchange rates and interest rates; the introduction of competing, fuel efficient products and the possible lack of acceptance of our products or services which may limit our ability to adequately utilize our production capacities or raise prices; price increases in fuel, raw materials, and precious metals; disruption of production due to shortages of materials, labor strikes, or supplier insolvencies; a further decline in resale prices of used vehicles; the effective implementation of cost reduction and efficiency optimization programs at all of our segments, including the repositioning of our truck activities in the NAFTA region; the business outlook of Chrysler, in which we hold an equity interest and some of whose obligations we have guaranteed; the business outlook of companies in which we hold an equity interest, most notably EADS; changes in laws, regulations and government policies, particularly those relating to vehicle emissions, fuel economy and safety, the resolution of pending governmental investigations and the outcome of pending or threatened future legal proceedings; and other risks and uncertainties, some of which we describe under the heading “Risk Report” in Daimler’s most recent Annual Report and under the headings “Risk Factors” and “Legal Proceedings” in Daimler’s most recent Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. If any of these risks and uncertainties materialize, or if the assumptions underlying any of our forward-looking statements prove incorrect, then our actual results may be materially different from those we express or imply by such statements. We do not intend or assume any obligation to update these forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made.

About Daimler

Daimler AG, Stuttgart, with its businesses Mercedes-Benz Cars, Daimler Trucks, Daimler Financial Services, Mercedes-Benz Vans and Daimler Buses, is a globally leading producer of premium passenger cars and the largest manufacturer of heavy- and medium-duty trucks in the world. The Daimler Financial Services division has a broad offering of financial services, including vehicle financing, leasing, insurance and fleet management. Daimler sells its products in nearly all the countries of the world and has production facilities on five continents. The company’s founders, Gottlieb Daimler and Carl Benz, continued to make automotive history following their invention of the automobile in 1886. As an automotive pioneer, Daimler and its employees willingly accept an obligation to act responsibly towards society and the environment and to shape the future of safe and sustainable mobility with groundbreaking technologies and high-quality products. The current brand portfolio includes the world’s most valuable automobile brand, Mercedes-Benz, as well as smart, AMG, Maybach, Freightliner, Sterling, Western Star, Mitsubishi Fuso, Setra, Orion and Thomas Built Buses. The company is listed on the stock exchanges in Frankfurt, New York and Stuttgart (stock exchange abbreviation DAI). In 2008, the Group sold 2.1 million vehicles and employed a workforce of over 270,000 people; revenue totaled €95.9 billion and EBIT amounted to €2.7 billion. Daimler is an automotive Group with a commitment to excellence, and aims to achieve sustainable growth and industry-leading profitability.

About Aabar

Aabar is an investment company headquartered in Abu Dhabi and is listed on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange.  It directly invests in various sectors including energy, infrastructure, real estate, automotive and financial services companies.  Its largest stakeholder is the International Petroleum Investment Company (IPIC), which in turn is wholly owned by the Government of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.

About IPIC

International Petroleum Investment Company (“IPIC”) is wholly owned by the Government of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. It was established in 1984 with a mandate to invest in the hydrocarbons and related sectors. IPIC’s investment portfolio is currently estimated to be worth more than US$14 billion, with stakes in many international companies.

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Daimler-Benz: Abu Dhabi’s Aabar Investments to become a major Daimler shareholder

* gmeuropefactsandfiction.com dispels common misinformation and urban legends
* Find answers to questions around company structure, actions and plans

The current need for bridge-financing for GM’s European operations is rooted in a catastrophic economic crisis, the worst of its kind in more than 70 years. Given the significance of the situation politically and for society, it’s only natural that rumor, speculation and urban myths should begin to circulate at this time. In addition to informed reporting based on fact there is also misinformation and repetition of statements that are clearly not based on fact.

To support informed discussion and fact-based reporting, GM and Opel & Vauxhall have launched a website gmeuropefactsandfiction.com, which challenges the more commonly reported misconceptions and addresses each one with the pertinent facts. The site is a resource for the media, for bloggers and anyone who reports our news. It is also for employees, suppliers, dealers and anyone who has an interest in our business in Europe. The aim of the site is to provide all of our stakeholders with access to the facts.

gmeuropefactsandfiction.com allows sharing and social bookmarking of the content and encourages visitors to join the discussion at DrivingConversations.com, the GM Europe Executive blog.

Links:

* http://gmeuropefactsandfiction.com
* http://drivingconversations.com
* http://media.gmeurope.com
* http://gmeurope.com

General Motors Corp. (NYSE: GM), one of the world’s largest automakers, was founded in 1908, and today manufactures cars and trucks in 34 countries. With its global headquarters in Detroit, GM employs 244,500 people in every major region of the world, and sells and services vehicles in some 140 countries. In 2008, GM sold 8.35 million cars and trucks globally under the following brands: Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, GM Daewoo, Holden, Hummer, Opel, Pontiac, Saab, Saturn, Vauxhall and Wuling. GM’s largest national market is the U.S., followed by China, Brazil, the United Kingdom, Canada, Russia and Germany. In Europe, GM sells its vehicles in over 40 markets. It operates 10 vehicle-production and assembly facilities in seven countries and employs about 54,500 people. More information on GM can be found at http://media.gmeurope.com and http://gmeurope.com. GM Europe executive blog at http://drivingconversations.com.  To support informed discussion and fact-based reporting, GM and Opel & Vauxhall have launched a new website at http://gmeuropefactsandfiction.com.

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GM and Opel Launch Website to Support Fact-Based Discussion

Edward T. Welburn, GM’s Vice President of Global Design, will receive the Distinguished Service Citation from the Automotive Hall of Fame, January 25, at the National Automobile Dealers Association meeting in New Orleans. With this prestigious Distinguished Service Citation, the Automotive Hall of Fame recognizes an individual’s significant contribution to the auto industry.

“I am honored to be receiving this award for doing a job that I enjoy so much,” says Welburn. “I am proud to lead such a creative team that continues designing award-winning cars and trucks that our customers love.”

Welburn was appointed GM vice president, global design, on March 1, 2005. He had been vice president of design, GM North America, since October 1, 2003, when he became only the sixth design leader in GM history. As vice president of global design, Welburn is responsible for interior and exterior design development of all General Motors cars and trucks. He heads a team of over 1,400 men and women operating in 11 design centers in eight countries around the world.

Under his direction, GM has walked away from the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit with the coveted 2007 Car and Truck of the Year awards for the Saturn Aura and Chevrolet Silverado, the 2008 Car of the Year award for the Chevrolet Malibu, the 2008 Motor Trend Car of the Year for Cadillac CTS, and the 2008 Eyes on Design awards for both the CTS-V and CTS Coupe Concept. In addition, AutoWeek named the 2006 Chevrolet Camaro Concept Editors’ Choice Best in Show Award.

Most recently, the Cadillac Converj Concept Car, revealed on January 11, 2009 at the North American International Auto Show won the Eyes on Design Award, AutoWeek’s Best Concept Award as well as the 2009 Detroit News Readers’ Choice Award for Best Concept.

Also under Welburn’s leadership, GM designed and developed the revolutionary Chevy Volt, the world’s first extended-range electric vehicle whose advanced technology and aerodynamic design enable it to drive up to 40 miles without using a drop of gasoline or producing emissions. The Chevrolet Volt was awarded the North American Specialty Concept Vehicle of the Year 2007 and the Most Significant Concept Vehicle of the Year at the Automotive Hall of Fame, 2007 MY. In addition, the Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid won the 2008 Green Car of the Year award.

Welburn began his General Motors career in 1972 as an associate designer assigned to the Advanced Design Studios and has held several significant leadership positions within the General Motors Design organization since then.

A native of Philadelphia, Welburn was born on December 14, 1950. He received a bachelor’s degree in 1972 from the College of Fine Arts at Howard University in Washington, D.C., where he studied sculpture and product design.

Today, Welburn is General Motors key executive to Howard University and serves on the board of governors at the Cranbrook Institute of Science and on the board of directors of the LeMay Museum.

Welburn has received honors and special recognition from Rainbow PUSH, African Americans on Wheels Magazine, and Black Enterprise magazine. In 2004, he was named the Howard University Alumni of the Year. In May 2008, he received the Man of Excellence Award from the Michigan Chronicle and made the list of The Ebony Power 150: The Most Influential Blacks in America as recognized by Ebony magazine.

General Motors Corp. (NYSE: GM), the world’s largest automaker, has been the annual global industry sales leader for 77 years. Founded in 1908, GM today employs about 252,000 people around the world. With global headquarters in Detroit, GM manufactures its cars and trucks in 34 countries. In 2007, nearly 9.37 million GM cars and trucks were sold globally under the following brands: Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, GM Daewoo, Holden, HUMMER, Opel, Pontiac, Saab, Saturn, Vauxhall and Wuling. GM’s OnStar subsidiary is the industry leader in vehicle safety, security and information services. More information on GM can be found at www.gm.com.

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General Motors’ Global Vice President of Design to be Awarded Automotive Hall of Fame Distinguished Service Citation