Google’s beefing-up its relationship with the auto industry by hiring one of their own.

Adding to the calendar of events I’ll be speaking at during 2006 are two more I’ve agreed to take part in:

DaimlerChrysler drove off the cliff today when they launched their new blog, “TheFireHouse.Biz.” This is to be their company engine for information and commentary aimed at the media. The Chrysler Group Media Blog is what they call it. The problem though, is that regular bloggers of any kind can’t get into it.

DaimlerChrysler’s Chairman Prof. Jurgen E. Schrempp will be leaving the company at the end of the year after being there for 44 years.

The chief executive for the combined Daimler-Benz and Chrysler company will leave his post by year’s end.

After 44 years serving the company, DaimlerChrysler’s Chairman Prof. Jurgen E. Schrempp will be stepping down at the end of this year.

GM extends its employee discount promotion after a big gain in sales; Ford offers a similar promotion to match.

DaimlerChrysler experienced a 9% increase in passenger vehicle sales for the month of April compared to April of last year.

A Federal Judge in Wilmington, Delaware dealt a decisive and final blow to dissident stockholder Kirk Kerkorian’s lawsuit against DaimlerChrysler.

DaimlerChrysler reported total group sales of 231,140 passenger vehicles in the U.S. for March 2005, a seven percent increase compared to March 2004.

DaimlerChrysler has entered into an agreement with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to further develop fuel cell vehicles in the United States.

DaimlerChrysler’s fourth-quarter earnings went down 63%, and a weak first half of the year is expected due to low Mercedes profits.

Fourth-quarter earnings fell 63% for DaimlerChrysler, and the company predicts a weak first half of this year resulting from disappointing Mercedes profits.

Mitsubishi Motors is compensating DaimlerChrysler for losses on its investment in Mitsubishi’s truck business caused by defect cover-ups.

Dubai Holding has bought a $1 billion stake in DaimlerChrysler, which makes it the company’s third largest shareholder.