Chrysler Names Purchasing Chief President

Chrysler Corp. named top purchasing executive Thomas Stallkamp as its president, making him the apparent front-runner to succeed Robert Eaton as chairman. Francois Castaing, the executive vice president for international affairs who had been considered a candidate for the top job, will give up his day-to-day responsibilities and retire in three years at age 55, the company said. Castaing will serve until then as a technical advisor to Eaton. The purchasing operation Stallkamp developed is generally regarded as the best in the auto industry, maintaining lower costs than competitors while still encouraging suppliers to share advanced technology. Purchasing decisions are increasingly important to auto makers, with direct impact on everything from profit margins to labor relations. The news had little impact on the auto maker’s shares, however. Chrysler shares declined 6 cents to close at $35.38 on the New York Stock Exchange.