Three top execs out in DaimlerChrysler AG shakeup

DETROIT - Three more top executives at the Chrysler side of DaimlerChrysler AG left the company Monday, four days after a new German management team was appointed to stem financial losses at the automaker.

The executives are:

-Chief administrative officer Kathleen Oswald, the highest-ranking woman in the auto industry, who had appeared in ads with DaimlerChrysler Chairman Juergen Schrempp promoting the merger.

-Theodor Cunningham, executive vice president of global sales and marketing for Chrysler brands, who oversaw the company's incentive strategies in the United States.

- Antonio Cervone, the vice president of communications who had returned to Chrysler just over two months ago from General Motors Corp.

DaimlerChrysler said all three were resigning their jobs effective immediately. In a statement, the company said Oswald's job would not be filled, while a successor to Cunningham would be named later.

Company spokeswoman Jodi Tinson said Cervone would be replaced by Ken Levy, who had worked in media relations for GM Europe.

The moves are the first under new Chrysler president Dieter Zetsche and chief operating officer Wolfgang Bernhard. The two former Mercedes-Benz executives from Germany were appointed Friday to replace American executive James P. Holden and turn around losses.

Chrysler posted a $512 million loss in the third quarter. High rebates and cheap loans, combined with a slowing U.S. market for new vehicles, have forced DaimlerChrysler to lower expectations for the fourth quarter and next year.

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