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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form 6-K
REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER
PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16 UNDER
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the month of October, 1999
DAIMLERCHRYSLER AG
(Translation of registrant's name into English)
Epplestrasse 225, 70567 Stuttgart, Germany
(Address of principal executive office)
[Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file
annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.]
Form 20-F X Form 40-F
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[Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the
information contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to
the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934.]
Yes No X
--- ---
[If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the
registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): 82-_________________]
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This report on Form 6-K is hereby incorporated by reference in the
registration statements on Form F-3 of DaimlerChrysler North America
Holding Corporation (Registration Statements No. 333-10366 and 333-9328.)
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DaimlerChrysler AG
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FORM 6-K: TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Press Release of DaimlerChrysler AG, dated October 14, 1999, on the
announced merger of Aerospatiale Matra SA and DaimlerChrysler
Aerospace AG
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DaimlerChrysler
Press Information
October 14, 1999
Contact:
Roland Klein DaimlerChrysler Tel +49 711 17-93635
Christian Poppe DaimlerChrysler Aerospace Tel +49 89 607-34250
DASA AND AEROSPATIALE MATRA TO BE MERGED TO ESTABLISH
WORLD'S THIRD LARGEST AEROSPACE COMPANY
o DAIMLERCHRYSLER AND LAGARDERE AGREE TO COMBINE THEIR AEROSPACE ACTIVITIES
TO CREATE EUROPE'S LARGEST AEROSPACE COMPANY
o NEW COMPANY WILL BE LISTED, JOINT STOCK COMPANY GIVING SHAREHOLDERS A
UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TO INVEST In EUROPEAN AEROSPACE INDUSTRY
o SOLID BASIS FOR CREATION OF HIGH-TECH JOBS IN EUROPE
Stuttgart/Paris - DaimlerChrysler, the French Lagardere Group and the French
State today announced that they have agreed to merge the respective aerospace
and defense activities into a new company which will be the world's third
largest aerospace company. The Franco-German corporation, to be called European
Aeronautic, Defense and Space Company (EADS), will be created through the
combination of Aerospatiale Matra SA and DaimlerChrysler Aerospace AG (Dasa) and
will be Europe's largest aerospace company.
EADS will have revenues of approximately Euro 21 billion and employ more than
89,000 people. It will start operating in the first half of 2000 after approval
by regulatory and supervisory authorities and the implementation of appropriate
capital measures.
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Dasa CEO Dr. Manfred Bischoff and Lagardere chairman Jean-Luc Lagardere will
head the board of EADS. The operative business will be headed by a French and a
German CEO. EADS will have dual headquarters in Munich and Paris. The
corporation will be registered in the Netherlands.
The agreement will be signed in Strasbourg today, Thursday.
Schrempp described the merger as a ground-breaking contribution to European
aerospace industrial integration, especially France and Germany's. "The merger
will also enable DaimlerChrysler to lead from a position of strength which will
result in a new dimension of profitable growth. We will be the driving force in
the aerospace sector just as we are in the automotive industry. This also will
unlock shareholder value," he added.
Lagardere: "Aerospatiale Matra looks forward to working together as part of the
same company with colleagues to share our ambition and enthusiasm. Together, we
will master new challenges in a spirit of optimism for the future. We are
excited to open a new chapter in the history of European cooperation."
A holding company will control 60 percent of the new company, while the
remaining 40 percent will be sold on the stock market. DaimlerChrysler AG and
its French partners--Lagardere, a French financial institution and the French
government--will each own half of the holding. The French government is to
reduce its stake in EADS to 15% through a secondary offering of shares.
EADS, which will include in the near future the Spanish aerospace company, CASA,
currently being merged with Dasa, will be the first truly international
aerospace company in Europe. The combination of Aerospatiale's and Dasa's
activities will make EADS:
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o the world's second-largest civilian aircraft manufacturer through Airbus
o the world's market leader in helicopters through Eurocopter
o a world leader in satellite launching systems through Ariane and
o a leading provider of satellites, military aircraft and defense systems.
The creation of EADS is also a vital precondition to the establishment of Airbus
as a truly integrated commercial enterprise.
The engine manufacturer MTU Muenchen will not be included in the new company and
will continue as a DaimlerChrysler business unit.
"Both companies are ideal partners," said Dasa CEO Manfred Bischoff, "Dasa and
Aerospatiale Matra have been working together in a wide range of European
programs for years. We know each other, complement each other and have a proven
track record working together.
"I have no doubt that with our depth of technological expertise, our track
record of innovation, our incomparable portfolio of products and our broad
geographical spread, we will achieve profitable growth and create secure,
forward-looking jobs in Europe," Bischoff added. "For the first time, investors
will have the opportunity to invest directly in the cutting-edge products of the
European aerospace industry, like Airbus, Ariane and Eurofighter."
- ends -
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
DaimlerChrysler AG
By: /s/ James D. Donlon III
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Name: James D. Donlon III
Title: Senior Vice President
By: /s/ ppa. Hans-Georg Bruns
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Name: Dr. Hans-Georg Bruns
Title: Vice President
Chief Accounting Officer
Date: October 15, 1999
