DaimlerChrysler AG's Chrysler Group plans to hire former manufacturing chief Dennis Pawley as a consultant to train dealers in reducing costs as part of the U.S.-based automaker's efforts to end losses, according to a Bloomberg News story by Jeff Green.

Pawley will help instruct dealers in techniques that automakers use to cut costs in factories, according to Jim Schroer, Chrysler's executive vice president of sales and marketing.

Pawley, 60, retired from Chrysler shortly after the 1998 merger with Daimler-Benz AG that formed DaimlerChrysler. Pawley was part of the group of top executives who helped Chrysler restore profitability in the early 1990s.

Chrysler CEO Dieter Zetsche has said improving relations with dealers is among the top priorities as the U.S.-based unit, which lost $1.94 billion last year, tries to break even this year and return to profitability in 2003.

Test programs for the dealer training have

been under way at several Chrysler outlets, according to Pawley, who didn't provide details.

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