Chrysler Group Reports April 2005 U.S. Sales Increase of 5 Percent, Achieving Thirteen Consecutive Months of Positive Sales Gains
- Chrysler Brand up 15 Percent with Chrysler 300 Sales Surpassing 150,000 Units in 12 Months - Dodge Brand up 2 Percent Led by the Dodge Caravan, the Volume Leader in the Minivan Segment - Jeep(R) Brand up 1 Percent with Sales of Jeep Grand Cherokee Rising 16 Percent - Dodge Ram and Dodge Dakota Push Truck Sales to 4 Percent Increase
AUBURN HILLS, Mich., May 3 -- Chrysler Group reported U.S. Sales for March were 206,546 units, an increase of 5 percent (9 percent increase unadjusted) over April 2004 sales of 189,011 units. April marks the thirteenth consecutive month of positive sales gains for the Chrysler Group and 18 of the past 19 months the company has achieved year- over-year monthly sales gains. Retail sales of Chrysler Group vehicles increased 8 percent compared to last year. All sales are reported on a day- rate adjusted basis unless otherwise indicated.
Sales of Chrysler Group minivans, which lead the industry in sales and include the exclusive Stow 'n Go seating system increased 8 percent to 41,338 units, compared to April 2004 minivan sales of 36,886 units. Chrysler Town and Country and Dodge Caravan collectively achieved a 23 percent increase in retail sales compared to April 2004.
Chrysler Group truck sales increased 4 percent to 48,106 units, compared to last year sales of 44,441 units. Truck sales were led by the company's volume nameplate leader, the Dodge Ram pickup, which posted sales of 35,986 units, an increase of 4 percent over April 2004 sales of 33,284 units. The all-new Dodge Dakota pickup posted sales of 10,535 units, 3 percent higher than April 2004 sales of 9,814 units. Retail results for the Dodge Dakota were particularly strong, posting an increase of 11 percent over March 2004.
"Sales of products in our key minivan and truck key segments performed well in April," said Gary Dilts, Chrysler Group Senior Vice President - Sales. "The momentum we have established in the truck segment with Dodge Ram and Dodge Dakota are big reasons for our strong retail performance and retail share gains in April. Our truck products in the pipeline -- Dodge Mega Cab and redesigned Dodge Ram pickup -- should continue to provide sales excitement for us later in the year."
Each of the Chrysler Group's three automotive brands, Chrysler, Jeep(R) and Dodge reported increased sales for April. Chrysler brand posted record sales of 61,332 units, an increase of 15 percent over previous year sales of 51,491 units. The flagship Chrysler 300 posted sales of 12,837 units, an increase of 42 percent over April 2004 sales of 8,734 units when the vehicle was introduced.
Jeep brand sales improved 1 percent to 40,547 units, compared to sales of 38,667 units during April 2004. Sales of the Jeep brand were powered by the all-new Jeep Grand Cherokee which posted sales of 18,436 units, an increase of 16 percent compared to previous year sales of 15,301.
Sales of Dodge brand vehicles increased 2 percent to 104,667 units. Previous year sales totaled 98,843 units.
The Dodge truck lineup will get a lot bigger when the all-new Dodge Mega Cab hits the market later this year and redefines the fastest-growing Crew Cab segment of the pickup market.
"The Dodge brand is gaining strength and momentum as new products are introduced," said Dilts. "The all-new Dodge Charger already has over 21,000 dealer orders and is leaving the factory heading for dealer showrooms."
"April saw the industry withstand continued high fuel prices, rising interest rates and a declining stock market while still showing resiliency on the strength of new products," said Dilts. "Because of our stronger product lineup, we are bullish about our opportunities going forward."
Chrysler Group finished the month with 604,858 units of inventory, or a 79-day supply.
DaimlerChrysler Corporation U.S. Sales Summary Thru April 2005 Month Sales DR % Vol % Model Curr Yr Pr Yr Change Change Sebring 9,096 9,862 -11% -8% Concorde 0 428 -100% -100% 300 12,837 9,543 30% 35% Crossfire 1,291 1,516 -18% -15% PT Cruiser 13,389 10,422 24% 28% Pacifica 7,412 5,896 21% 26% Town & Country 17,307 13,818 21% 25% CHRYSLER BRAND 61,332 51,491 15% 19% Wrangler 7,882 9,001 -16% -12% Liberty 14,229 14,375 -5% -1% Grand Cherokee 18,436 15,301 16% 20% JEEP BRAND 40,547 38,677 1% 5% Neon 8,836 10,537 -19% -16% Stratus 9,649 10,691 -13% -10% Intrepid 0 836 -100% -100% Viper 143 166 -17% -14% Magnum 5,276 0 0% 0% Dakota 10,535 9,814 3% 7% Ram P/U 35,986 33,284 4% 8% Caravan 24,031 23,068 0% 4% Durango 8,626 9,104 -9% -5% Ram Van/Wagon 0 375 -100% -100% Sprinter Van 1,585 968 58% 64% DODGE BRAND 104,667 98,843 2% 6% TOTAL CHRYSLER GROUP 206,546 189,011 5% 9% TOTAL CG CAR 44,248 45,712 -7% -3% TOTAL CG TRUCK 162,298 143,299 9% 13% Selling Days 27 26 Sales CYTD DR % Vol % Model Curr Yr Pr Yr Change Change Sebring 33,261 37,840 -12% -12% Concorde 203 2,516 -92% -92% 300 49,089 14,653 235% 235% Crossfire 4,380 4,528 -3% -3% PT Cruiser 41,509 43,183 -4% -4% Pacifica 27,496 27,364 0% 0% Town & Country 61,156 44,867 36% 36% CHRYSLER BRAND 217,094 174,951 24% 24% Wrangler 23,571 29,396 -20% -20% Liberty 55,138 57,326 -4% -4% Grand Cherokee 65,550 64,200 2% 2% JEEP BRAND 144,259 150,922 -4% -4% Neon 40,871 43,438 -6% -6% Stratus 38,342 35,972 7% 7% Intrepid 285 5,331 -95% -95% Viper 484 593 -18% -18% Magnum 21,508 0 0% 0% Dakota 35,665 34,544 3% 3% Ram P/U 125,043 136,129 -8% -8% Caravan 81,696 80,020 2% 2% Durango 43,102 38,602 12% 12% Ram Van/Wagon 321 3,351 -90% -90% Sprinter Van 4,608 2,662 73% 73% DODGE BRAND 391,925 380,642 3% 3% TOTAL CHRYSLER GROUP 753,278 706,515 7% 7% TOTAL CG CAR 172,787 149,469 16% 16% TOTAL CG TRUCK 580,491 557,046 4% 4% Selling Days 102 102