CHRYSLER TIMELINE
Key dates in the trans-Atlantic takeover that created DaimlerChrysler AG, and its subsequent dismantling, announced Monday.
April 12, 1995: Kirk Kerkorian's Tracinda Corp. makes offer for Chrysler Corp. valuing company at $22.8 billion.
Feb. 7, 1996: Chrysler makes peace deal with shareholder Kerkorian in return for stock buybacks and board seat.
Feb. 12, 1998: Daimler-Benz AG and Chrysler Corp. begin secret takeover discussions.
May 7, 1998: Daimler-Benz's Juergen Schrempp and Chrysler Corp.'s Robert Eaton announce $36 billion takeover that creates DaimlerChrysler AG.
Nov. 17, 1998: DaimlerChrysler U.S. shares begin trading at $84.31.
Oct. 26, 2000: Chrysler posts $512 million loss for third quarter.
Oct. 30, 2000: Schrempp quoted by the Financial Times as saying he never intended a merger of equals but that it was portrayed that way "for psychological reasons."
Nov. 17: Schrempp puts Mercedes-Benz veteran Dieter Zetsche in charge of Chrysler.
Nov. 27: Kerkorian sues company, Schrempp for $9 billion, accusing them of fraud.
Jan. 29, 2001: DaimlerChrysler announces it will cut 26,000 jobs, or about one-fifth of the work force, at Chrysler and idle six plants over the next several years.
April 2005: Cash cow Mercedes Car Group posts first quarterly loss in more than 10 years.
April 7, 2005: Kerkorian loses his fraud suit against the company.
July 28, 2005: Schrempp announces he is stepping down, with Chrysler head Zetsche to replace him on Jan. 1, 2006.
September 2005: Mercedes Car Group announces elimination of 8,500 jobs.
Jan. 24, 2006: Company says it will cut 6,000 white-collar jobs worldwide -- 20 percent of administrative work force.
Sept. 7, 2006: United Auto Workers refuses to grant health care concessions to Chrysler Group.
Feb. 14, 2007: DaimlerChrysler says it won't rule out "any option" including sale of Chrysler. Chrysler says it will cut 13,000 more workers, and close its assembly plant in Newark.
April 4, 2007: Zetsche says company is in talks about future of Chrysler but does not say if it will be sold.
-- Associated Press
