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Safety Tour Makes North American International Auto Show Debut

11 January 1999

DaimlerChrysler's 'Do the Buckle' Safety Tour Makes North American International Auto Show Debut
    AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Jan. 8 -- The "Do the Buckle" minivan
tour is making its debut at the 1999 North American International Auto Show
(NAIAS) and will be featured at the first Woman's Day on Monday, January 11,
1999.
    The safety tour, featuring a fleet of Chrysler, Dodge and Plymouth
minivans, carries safety messages to schools, malls, auto shows and festivals
across the country.  During the NAIAS, DaimlerChrysler's Do the
Buckle team is reminding drivers and passengers about the importance of
wearing safety belts and buckling kids in the back seat.
    The program's theme song, dance and video, "Do the Buckle," play off the
tune and lyrics from the '70s hit "Do the Hustle," and incorporate the motion
a person makes as they reach over their shoulder and across their torso to
buckle a safety belt.
    In the video, Bucky, a lively, animated character, comes to life to help
people of all ages understand the importance of safety belts.  The video also
features an introduction by Bill Nye, the star of the weekly Disney production
"Bill Nye the Science Guy," and Robert J. Eaton, DaimlerChrysler Chairman.
The "Do the Buckle" minivans have traveled more than 200,000 miles and visited
1,200 different locations across the United States.
    "Every hour someone dies in America simply because they didn't wear a
safety belt," Eaton said.  "Safety belts are the most effective means of
reducing fatalities and serious injuries, and sadly, many Americans aren't
using them.  We work hard to build safe cars, trucks and minivans, but even
the best safety devices don't work if they are not used correctly."
    "Do the Buckle" will be one of four seminars featured at the show's
"Woman's Day," an event sponsored by DaimlerChrysler's Women's Advisory
Committee.  Members of the committee will be available to talk to visitors
about the vehicles they drive.  Other seminars include "Safe and Defensive
Driving," "Off-Road Driving Techniques" and "Financing Options."  The "Do the
Buckle" display is located in the Chrysler/Plymouth/Jeep exhibit area.  The
safety team will be available throughout the public days of the show to
demonstrate how vehicle restraint systems work, talk about driver and occupant
safety and present the "Do the Buckle" music video.
    A number of safety-minded companies are supporting the campaign, including
safety belt manufacturer Takata Inc., Continental Teves, a manufacturer of
antilock brake systems, and air bag manufacturer Autoliv.
    Visitors to the "Do the Buckle" display also can learn about
DaimlerChrysler's other safety programs, including "Neon Drunk Driving
Simulator" and "Stop Red Light Running."
    The "Neon Drunk Driving Simulator" visits high schools across the United
States to demonstrate the dangers of drinking and driving.  "Stop Red Light
Running" is a program emphasizing that red light running can have the same
serious consequences as drinking and driving injury and death.  All three
nationwide campaigns help fulfill DaimlerChrysler's goal of encouraging safe
driving.
    If you would like to learn more about "Do the Buckle" or would like a
minivan to visit a particular venue, call 1-877-TOBUCKY.