DaimlerChrysler Canada reports higher March and first quarter sales

WINDSOR, ON, April 2 /CNW/ - DaimlerChrysler Canada today reported higher sales for the month of March and for the first three months of 2002 compared to 2001.

The company's retailers across Canada sold 57,669 Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep(R) vehicles during the first three months of 2002, an increase of 4.8 percent over the 55,007 sold in the first quarter of 2001.

March deliveries of 22,689 vehicles were 3.2 percent higher than the 21,985 sold in the same month last year and marked the fifth consecutive month in which combined car and truck sales exceeded those for the corresponding month one year earlier.

"Our retailers came in with record first quarter truck sales," Pat Dougherty, Vice President - Sales and Service said. "Deliveries of a record 44,538 trucks in the first quarter of this year were 10.9 percent higher than the 40,168 sold in the first three months of 2001 and were 1.4 percent higher than the previous record 43,923 trucks sold in the first quarter of 1998. DaimlerChrysler's March deliveries of 17,268 trucks were 11.3 percent higher than the 15,516 sold in the same month one year earlier," Mr. Dougherty said.

March deliveries of 8,348 Dodge Caravans were 16.4 percent higher than the 7,172 sold in the same month last year. The Dodge Caravan continues to be the number one selling vehicle in Canada with first quarter sales of 21,279 units, 12 percent higher than the first quarter of 2001.

Deliveries of a record 1,780 Chrysler Sebring sedans in March were 26.4 percent higher than the previous record 1,408 sold in the same month last year, while sales of the 2002 Chrysler Concorde were up 43.5 percent. Paced by deliveries of the all-new 2002 Dodge Ram 1500, March deliveries of Dodge Ram pickups increased 20.4 percent, while mid-sized Dodge Dakota pickup sales were up 66.0 percent.

For the first quarter, Jeep sales were up 31.7 percent led by the new Jeep Liberty, the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada's 2002 "Canadian Truck Of The Year".

Chrysler Sebring sedan deliveries in the first quarter increased 32.3 percent to a record 4,171 units from the 3,152 sold in the same period last year. January through March deliveries of 7,842 Dodge Ram pickups were up 36.7 percent from the 5,737 sold in the first quarter of 2001, while Dodge Dakota sales of 4,151 units were up 32.5 percent from 3,134 sold in the first quarter last year.

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	                         DaimlerChrysler Canada Inc.

	                          Monthly Retail Deliveries

	                                 March, 2002


	                                    Current Year    Prior Year   Difference

	    Passenger Cars
	    --------------
	    Month                               5,421          6,469       -16.2%

	    Calendar Year                      13,131         14,839       -11.5%


	    Trucks
	    ------
	    Month                              17,268         15,516        11.3%

	    Calendar Year                      44,538         40,168        10.9%


	    Cars & Trucks
	    -------------
	    Month                              22,689         21,985         3.2%

	    Calendar Year                      57,669         55,007         4.8%
	    >>