Chrysler Group Reports 17th Consecutive Month of Sales Increases
- Jeep(R) Brand Sales Lead Chrysler Group Performance; Sales Rise 16 Percent Year-Over-Year - Sports Tourer Segment Sales Perform Well; Sales Increase 6 Percent Over Last Year - Truck Segment Sales Volume Improves; Dodge Ram Pickup Sales Continue as Volume Leader for the Company - 2006 Dodge Ram 1500 Goes on Sale Today; First Pickup to Offer Best-In- Class HEMI(R) Power with Fuel-Saving Multi-Displacement System (MDS) - DaimlerChrysler Fund to Provide Matching Funds by Chrysler Group Dealers and Employees to Assist Hurricane Katrina Relief Efforts
AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Sept. 1 -- Made possible by the strong foundation of desirable products and competitive value, Chrysler Group today reports its 17th consecutive monthly sales increase. Sales increased 1 percent adjusted (5 percent increase on unadjusted) to 187,085 units sold during August 2005. All other sales are reported on an adjusted basis unless otherwise indicated.
"August sales results validate our approach of combining eye-catching, desirable products with a clear, competitive value message," said Gary Dilts, Chrysler Group, Senior Vice President - Sales. "The devastation brought by Hurricane Katrina had some impact on our sales during the final stretch of August. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families in that region as they begin the long process towards rebuilding their lives."
Chrysler Group saw sales strength in several key segments during August, including the Sports Tourer, SUV and Truck segments.
Sport Utility Vehicles
Chrysler Group's SUV segment sales were led by the historic Jeep(R) brand which posted sales of 40,659 units, an increase of 16 percent over August 2004 sales. Sales were fueled by gains in each of the three nameplates in the Jeep lineup.
Sales of Jeep Grand Cherokee surged 27 percent to 17,931 units compared to August 2004 sales of 13,563 units, while sales of the original SUV descendant, Jeep Wrangler, increased 11 percent to 7,079 units. Previous year sales of the Jeep Wrangler totaled 6,123 units. Jeep Liberty posted sales of 15,649 units, an increase of 8 percent year-over-year compared to August 2004 when 13,874 units were sold.
The all-new Jeep Liberty Common Rail Diesel (CRD) posted year-to-date sales of 5,096 units, exceeding full-year sales projections of 5,000 units while delivering 25 percent improved fuel economy for their enthusiastic new owners.
The Jeep lineup of vehicles will expand by one row to accommodate the all- new Jeep Commander, the first Jeep with three rows of seats. Excitement for the Jeep Commander is high as orders for the vehicle exceed 40,000 units. Arriving at dealerships daily, the Jeep Commander is a fully capable Jeep while delivering the refinement expected by customers.
Trucks
Sales in the truck segment for Chrysler Group were led by the Dodge Ram pickup, which posted sales of 38,681 units, an increase of 1 percent year- over-year. Sales for August 2004 totaled 36,677 units. Overall sales for the truck segment increased to 49,427 units sold compared to last year's total of 47,317.
Beginning today, the new 2006 Dodge Ram 1500 pickup is available for sale at Dodge dealerships nationwide. The 2006 Dodge Ram 1500 has been completely re-engineered, and is the first truck to include the availability of the Multi-Displacement System along with best-in-class HEMI(R) power, which provides up to 20 percent fuel economy improvement. Also included in the enhanced features are an all-new frame and suspension, all-new interior, bold exterior styling and a truckload of value.
Sports Tourer
The Sports Tourer segment was led by sales of the Chrysler Pacifica and the Chrysler PT Cruiser as the Sports Tourer segment saw sales increase 6 percent to 20,142 units compared to August 2004 sales of 18,312 for the segment.
The Chrysler Pacifica posted sales of 6,804 units, an increase of 14 percent over August 2004 sales of 5,747 units. The Chrysler PT Cruiser improved 12 percent to 9,812 units sold. Previous year sales of the PT Cruiser were 8,407 units.
"Economic indicators are showing stronger signs of improvement, but customers are still looking for a deal on cars and trucks," said Dilts. "We will continue to offer our Employee Pricing Plus program to customers as we aggressively work to sell down 2005 model year inventory. The Employee Pricing Plus program will end on October 3, 2005. This is absolutely the best deal you are going to see this year on Chrysler Group products."
Chrysler Group finished the month with 495,786 units of inventory, or a 69-day supply.
DaimlerChrysler Corporation U.S. Sales Summary Thru August 2005
Month Sales DR % Vol % Sales CYTD DR % Vol %
Model Curr Yr Pr Yr Change Change Curr Yr Pr Yr Change Change
Sebring 5,853 8,035 -30% -27% 62,427 76,094 -18% -18%
Concorde 0 221 -100% -100% 210 3,772 -94% -94%
300 9,934 12,001 -20% -17% 94,101 65,709 44% 43%
Crossfire 1,262 1,205 1% 5% 10,276 10,110 2% 2%
PT Cruiser 9,812 8,407 12% 17% 88,437 79,858 11% 11%
Pacifica 6,804 5,747 14% 18% 61,498 51,854 19% 19%
Town &
Country 10,614 12,336 -17% -14% 132,907 95,208 40% 40%
CHRYSLER
BRAND 44,279 47,952 -11% -8% 449,856 382,605 18% 18%
Wrangler 7,079 6,123 11% 16% 59,234 58,155 2% 2%
Liberty 15,649 13,874 8% 13% 118,878 117,361 2% 1%
Grand
Cherokee 17,931 13,563 27% 32% 149,796 122,363 23% 22%
JEEP
BRAND 40,659 33,560 16% 21% 327,908 297,879 11% 10%
Neon 10,992 9,199 15% 19% 86,988 83,222 5% 5%
Stratus 6,616 4,776 33% 39% 70,918 68,120 5% 4%
Intrepid 321 NA NA 298 7,199 -96% -96%
Charger 5,222 0 0% 0% 16,912 0 0% 0%
Viper 162 144 8% 13% 1,059 1,279 -17% -17%
Magnum 4,585 5,410 -19% -15% 39,795 17,866 124% 123%
Dakota 8,206 9,770 -19% -16% 77,322 76,651 1% 1%
Ram P/U 38,681 36,677 1% 5% 283,310 295,239 -4% -4%
Caravan 16,678 18,832 -15% -11% 166,917 168,483 0% -1%
Durango 8,465 10,523 -23% -20% 81,136 92,831 -12% -13%
Ram Van/
Wagon 0 71 -100% -100% 402 5,988 -93% -93%
Sprinter
Van 2,540 799 206% 218% 12,295 6,189 100% 99%
DODGE
BRAND 102,147 96,522 2% 6% 837,352 823,067 2% 2%
TOTAL CHRYSLER
GROUP 187,085 178,034 1% 5% 1,615,116 1,503,551 8% 7%
TOTAL CG
CAR 41,100 37,154 6% 11% 357,897 327,291 10% 9%
TOTAL CG
TRUCK 145,985 140,880 0% 4% 1,257,219 1,176,260 7% 7%
Selling
Days 26 25 204 205
