Chrysler Group Announces February Sales and March Production
Schedule
AUBURN HILLS, Mich., March 1 Chrysler Group reported U.S.
sales of 201,636 units in February, a 10 percent decline compared to February
2000, which was an all time record month. However, this represents a
36 percent jump in sales compared to January 2001, or an increase of nearly
41,000 units.
Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) sales of 59,407 units set a new record for
February, rising 14 percent compared to February 2000. This represents a
5,700 unit, or 20 percent, increase over January 2001.
Chrysler Town & Country set a new record with sales jumping 32 percent
versus the same month last year on sales of 12,739 units. Total minivan sales
of 36,944 vehicles dropped 31 percent compared to last February, which was the
second best sales month in the history of minivan. However, total minivan
sales increased 57 percent, or by 11,491 units, over January 2001.
The all new Chrysler Sebring and Dodge Stratus sedans recorded their best
month since the September 2000 launch on sales of 17,254 units. Total car
sales of 59,068 units were up 49 percent, or by 16,000 units, compared to
January 2001, but were down 13 percent compared to February 2000.
Total truck sales of 142,568 dropped 10 percent versus last year's record,
but increased nearly 25,000 units, or by 31 percent, compared to January 2001.
"As February progressed, we gained more and more momentum," said Dieter
Zetsche, Chrysler Group President and CEO. "We are positively positioned
heading into the spring selling season. Owning one of the youngest product
lines in the industry combined with competitive incentives has energized our
dealers and customers. Our market position will be further bolstered with the
launch of the all new Jeep(R) Liberty in April and the summer launch of our
new Dodge Ram pickup."
Zetsche noted that the combination of all of these factors resulted in a
strong sales month especially when considering last year was the best February
on record. "We anticipate that sales will continue to move in a positive
direction. They have already moved ahead 36 percent compared to January, and
we are seeing sustained increases in dealer orders."
FIRST QUARTER PRODUCTION
Chrysler Group's First Quarter Production includes the following plant
idlings in March:
Week of March 5, 2001
* Bramalea (Ontario) Assembly Plant
* Newark (Delaware) Assembly Plant
Week of March 12, 2001
* Bramalea (Ontario) Assembly Plant
DaimlerChrysler Corporation U.S. Sales Summary, Thru February 2001
Month Sales DR % Sales CYTD DR %
Model Curr Yr Pr Yr Change Curr Yr Pr Yr Change
Neon 3669 6130 -38% 8245 10149 -19%
Breeze 0 1266 -100% 127 2588 -95%
Prowler 152 221 -28% 308 401 -23%
PLYMOUTH CAR 3821 7617 -48% 8680 13138 -34%
Voyager 0 6580 -100% 340 12785 -97%
PLYMOUTH
TRUCK 0 6580 -100% 340 12785 -97%
PLYMOUTH
BRAND 3821 14197 -72% 9020 25923 -65%
Cirrus 0 5177 -100% 371 8610 -96%
Sebring
Sedan 6003 0 0% 9411 0 0%
Sebring
Coupe 1556 1394 16% 2640 2664 -1%
Sebring
Convertible 5335 4951 12% 7729 10074 -23%
Concorde 3192 4453 -25% 5199 7921 -34%
300M 3074 3913 -18% 6192 7302 -15%
LHS 1415 2262 -35% 2459 4205 -42%
Prowler 25 0 0% 25 0 0%
CHRYSLER
CAR 20600 22150 -3% 34026 40776 -17%
PT Cruiser 13295 0 0% 26770 0 0%
Voyager 3792 6107 -35% 6651 8523 -22%
Town &
Country 12739 10049 32% 21302 16930 26%
CHRYSLER
TRUCK 29826 16156 92% 54723 25453 115%
CHRYSLER
BRAND 50426 38306 37% 88749 66229 34%
Wrangler 4386 6383 -28% 8491 11875 -28%
Cherokee 10826 12658 -11% 21129 23629 -11%
Grand
Cherokee 19181 21934 -9% 35420 41684 -15%
JEEP BRAND 34393 40975 -13% 65040 77188 -16%
CP CAR 24421 29767 -15% 42706 53914 -21%
CPJ TRUCK 64219 63711 5% 120103 115426 4%
CPJ DIVISION 88640 93478 -1% 162809 169340 -4%
Neon 8579 9876 -10% 17994 16918 6%
Stratus
Sedan 11251 14160 -17% 17137 21648 -21%
Stratus
Coupe 1944 0 0% 3133 0 0%
Avenger 0 873 -100% 143 1608 -91%
Intrepid 12728 15676 -15% 20771 29166 -29%
Viper 145 124 22% 247 228 8%
DODGE CAR 34647 40709 -11% 59425 69568 -15%
Dakota 13583 14027 1% 22200 25856 -14%
Ram P/U 27156 33595 -16% 52334 60390 -13%
Caravan 20413 33313 -36% 34104 57978 -41%
Durango 11719 13199 -8% 21297 24894 -14%
Ram Wagon 1735 2076 -13% 3033 3347 -9%
Ram Van 3743 4280 -9% 7114 7621 -7%
DODGE TRUCK 78349 100490 -19% 140082 180086 -22%
DODGE
DIVISION 112996 141199 -17% 199507 249654 -20%
TOTAL CAR 59068 70476 -13% 102131 123482 -17%
TOTAL TRUCK 142568 164201 -10% 260185 295512 -12%
TOTAL CAR
& TRUCK 201636 234677 -10% 362316 418994 -14%
Total
Minivan 36944 56049 -31% 62397 96216 -35%
Total Sport
Utility 59407 54174 14% 113107 102082 11%
Selling Days 24 25 50 50
