Total Chrysler LLC December 2007 Sales Up 1 Percent on the Strength of Retail; Demand for Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan Continues to Grow
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AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Jan. 3, 2008 -- -- For 2008, Chrysler to offer six vehicles with 28 miles per gallon or
better highway fuel economy
-- 2007 Jeep(R) Wrangler sales surpass 100,000 units with an all-time
sales record of 119,243 units
-- Chrysler brand truck sales rise 7 percent in December over 2006 based
on the success of Chrysler Town & Country minivan, up 31 percent
-- Dodge brand sales rise 11 percent for the month, led by Dodge Grand
Caravan up 51 percent, Dodge Sprinter up 26 percent and Dodge Charger
up 5 percent
-- Jeep brand sales down 3 percent for December year-over-year based on
planned fleet reductions
-- Dealer inventory down 19 percent or 100,048 units versus December 2006
Built on the strength of retail, Chrysler LLC's total U.S. sales for December 2007 were 191,423 units; an increase of 1 percent compared with December 2006 sales of 190,415 units. Fleet sales for the month were down, as compared with December 2006. For 2007, total Chrysler LLC sales were 2,076,650, a decrease of 3 percent from the 2,142,505 units sold in 2006. All sales figures are reported as unadjusted.
"On behalf of our leadership team, I would like to extend my thanks and appreciation to the entire Chrysler network for a strong finish to 2007 and a solid December," Bob Nardelli, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, said. "Today is a great demonstration of what can be done when all of our employees, dealers and suppliers come together, demonstrating that the organization and its partners are fully aligned and focused on meeting the needs of our customers and being competitive in the industry."
"December proves that when you offer customers products with great value, they respond favorably," Jim Press, Vice Chairman and President, said. "In 2007, we launched eight all-new vehicles including the Jeep(R) Grand Cherokee diesel, Chrysler Sebring Convertible and the all-new Swivel 'n Go(TM) minivans. And we are continuing to invest in new product, including new fuel- efficient powertrains. For 2008, we'll offer six vehicles with 28 miles per gallon or better highway fuel economy. This combined with the best-in-industry Lifetime Powertrain Warranty in our Chrysler, Jeep, and Dodge vehicles is bringing more customers to our showrooms."
Chrysler brand truck sales rose 7 percent for the month led by the all-new Chrysler Town & Country which posted a gain of 31 percent year-over-year. Chrysler Town & Country sales for the month were 14,211 units compared with 10,877 units in December 2006.
Dodge brand sales were up 11 percent for December led primarily by Dodge Grand Caravan sales of 21,326 units, up 51 percent. Previous year December sales were 14,095 units.
"With the new Dodge lineup and products like Avenger and Charger, we are finding the brand is attracting new buyers today," Deborah Meyer, Chief Marketing Officer, said. "Twenty-seven percent of Dodge buyers are under 35 years of age; and 64 percent are less than 45 years of age and female."
The Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan held Chrysler's leadership in the minivan segment. Both vehicles offer the exclusive Stow 'n Go(R) seating and storage system -- another minivan innovation.
Overall Jeep brand sales declined 3 percent based on planned fleet reductions. Jeep Wrangler sales were up 4 percent for the month with 9,007 units versus 8,623 units for December 2006. With 119,243 units sold in 2007, Jeep Wrangler sales surpassed 100,000 units with an all-time sales record, versus 80,271 sold in 2006, up 49 percent.
"We're thankful to our customers for the response they've shown to our products," Steven Landry, Executive Vice President -- North American Sales, said. "Jeep Wrangler is one example with an all-time sales record for the year that surpasses 100,000 units. With new models, bold designs and fuel efficient alternatives, we're excited about the products like the Dodge Journey, Challenger and Ram, and the launch of two new SUV hybrids -- the Chrysler Aspen and Dodge Durango -- and believe we're well positioned for 2008."
Chrysler finished the month with 438,390 units of inventory, or a 60-day supply. Inventory is down by 19 percent compared with December 2006 when it was at 538,438 units.
About Chrysler LLC
Chrysler LLC, headquartered in Auburn Hills, Mich., produces Chrysler, Jeep(R), Dodge and Mopar(R) brand vehicles and products. Its product lineup features some of the world's most recognizable vehicles, including the Chrysler 300, Jeep Wrangler and Dodge Charger. The Chrysler Foundation - the primary source of charitable grants made by Chrysler - annually supports hundreds of charitable organizations with an emphasis on community growth and enrichment, education, arts and culture, public policy, youth development and disaster relief programs throughout the United States and, increasingly, the world. Chrysler is a unit of Cerberus Capital Management.
Chrysler LLC U.S. Sales Summary Thru December 2007
Month Sales DR Vol Sales CYTD DR Vol
Curr Pr % % Curr Pr % %
Model Yr Yr Change Change Yr Yr Change Change
Sebring 9,274 12,157 -24% -24% 93,130 69,357 34% 34%
300 9,950 16,250 -39% -39% 120,636 143,647 -16% -16%
Crossfire 180 10 1700% 1700% 8,774 8,216 6% 7%
PT Cruiser 9,738 8,215 19% 19% 99,585 138,650 -28% -28%
Aspen 3,022 3,033 0% 0% 28,788 7,656 275% 276%
Pacifica 2,009 5,297 -62% -62% 53,947 78,243 -31% -31%
Town &
Country 14,211 10,877 31% 31% 138,151 159,105 -13% -13%
CHRYSLER
BRAND 48,384 55,839 -13% -13% 543,011 604,874 -11% -10%
Compass 3,295 5,066 -35% -35% 39,491 18,579 112% 113%
Patriot 4,987 0 0% 0% 40,434 0 0% 0%
Wrangler 9,007 8,623 4% 4% 119,243 80,271 48% 49%
Liberty 9,941 11,979 -17% -17% 92,105 133,557 -31% -31%
Grand
Cherokee 11,753 12,853 -9% -9% 120,937 139,148 -13% -13%
Commander 5,821 7,566 -23% -23% 63,027 88,497 -29% -29%
JEEP
BRAND 44,804 46,087 -3% -3% 475,237 460,052 3% 3%
Caliber 8,851 9,425 -6% -6% 101,079 92,224 9% 10%
Avenger 8,146 0 0% 0% 83,804 0 0% 0%
Charger 11,115 10,567 5% 5% 119,289 114,201 4% 4%
Viper 46 68 -32% -32% 435 1,455 -70% -70%
Magnum 2,278 2,735 -17% -17% 30,256 40,095 -25% -25%
Dakota 2,873 5,144 -44% -44% 50,702 76,098 -34% -33%
Ram P/U 32,118 32,875 -2% -2% 358,295 364,177 -2% -2%
Caravan 21,326 4,095 51% 51% 176,150 211,140 -17% -17%
Durango 2,480 4,322 -43% -43% 45,503 70,606 -36% -36%
Nitro 7,350 7,491 -2% -2% 74,825 16,990 339% 340%
Sprinter 1,652 1,308 26% 26% 16,586 21,961 -25% -24%
DODGE
BRAND 98,235 88,489 11% 11% 1,058,402 1,077,579 -2% -2%
TOTAL
CHRYSLER
LLC 191,423 190,415 1% 1% 2,076,650 2,142,505 -3% -3%
TOTAL CAR 47,995 49,698 -3% -3% 539,603 510,234 5% 6%
TOTAL
TRUCK 143,428 140,717 2% 2% 1,537,047 1,632,271 -6% -6%
Selling Days 26 26 307 306
