Chrysler Group Reports U.S. April Sales Increase of Three Percent
AUBURN HILLS, Mich., May 1 /Chrysler Group reported U.S. sales of 200,421 units in April 2002, compared to 187,119 in April 2001, an increase of three percent.
"Having just announced a first quarter operating profit of $111 million, and with April sales being up three percent, we have every reason to be pleased with our performance," said Gary Dilts, Senior Vice President - Sales, DaimlerChrysler Corporation. "Total sales for April show that clear brand identities, desirable products and a strategic incentive plan can spur sales in a tough, competitive environment."
"The all-new Dodge Ram continues to gain popularity, and total Dodge Ram sales are on track," added Dilts. Chrysler Group sold 33,900 Dodge Ram trucks last month, led by the all-new 1500 series Dodge Ram truck selling 26,043 units. "This fall we will complete our Ram truck product line by launching the all-new Ram 2500 and Ram 3500."
Jeep® Grand Cherokee demand was strong in April, with 19,142 units sold, up 10 percent compared to April 2001. Total Chrysler Group Sport-Utility Vehicle (Wrangler, Liberty, Grand Cherokee, Durango) sales of 46,580 units were up six percent compared to April 2001.
Jeep Liberty sales continue to be strong, selling 12,437 units, up seven percent compared to March levels. "Jeep Liberty shows that consumers recognize an exciting combination of value, quality and styling," said Dilts. Total Jeep brand sales were 37,687 units, up 11 percent compared to April 2001.
Chrysler PT Cruiser set an April sales record of 13,128 units, up eight percent compared to the same month last year. "PT Cruiser remains in a class of its own," added Dilts.
Total passenger car sales of 51,464 units, were up four percent from year- earlier levels. Several passenger car lines showed double-digit gains from April 2001. Highlights include:
- Chrysler Sebring Sedan sales of 5,218 units were up 18 percent
- Chrysler Concorde sales of 3,232 units were up 30 percent
- Dodge car sales of 34,379 units were up 19 percent
- Dodge Neon sales of 11,490 units were up 22 percent
- Dodge Stratus Sedan sales of 8,267 units were up 19 percent
Dilts went on to say that production continues to remain strong, with 14 of the 17 Chrysler Group assembly plants expected to operate at overtime at some point during the second quarter.
"As we move forward, we have many reasons to be optimistic," added Dilts. "Sales and dealer confidence levels are strong. We just extended our consumer incentive programs, we are in the middle of the spring selling season and we just recently launched a national minivan sales program, which is gaining traction daily."
Chrysler Group finished the month with 472,561 units in inventory, a 59-
day supply, compared to 450,641 units in inventory, a 58-day supply, in April
2001. "Our inventory is right where we would like it to be, especially now
that we are in the spring selling season," stated Dilts.
DaimlerChrysler Corporation U.S. Sales Summary, Thru April 2002
Month Sales DR % Sales CYTD DR %
Model Curr Yr Pr Yr Change Curr Yr Pr Yr Change
Neon 23 3116 -99% 237 16011 -99%
Breeze 0 0 0% 0 127 -100%
Prowler 0 98 -100% 166 550 -70%
PLYMOUTH CAR 23 3214 -99% 403 16688 -98%
Voyager 0 0 0% 0 340 -100%
PLYMOUTH TRUCK 0 0 0% 0 340 -100%
PLYMOUTH BRAND 23 3214 -99% 403 17028 -98%
Cirrus 0 0 0% 0 371 -100%
Sebring Sedan 5218 4246 18% 21929 18519 18%
Sebring Coupe 1101 1571 -33% 3996 6069 -34%
Sebring Convertible 4342 4536 -8% 17564 16716 5%
Concorde 3232 2484 25% 11502 10610 8%
300M 2982 2883 -1% 10583 11730 -10%
LHS 51 981 -95% 360 4353 -92%
Prowler 136 81 61% 671 181 0%
CHRYSLER CAR 17062 16782 -2% 66605 68549 -3%
PT Cruiser 13128 11630 8% 48799 51489 -5%
Voyager 3475 3804 -12% 14226 15263 -7%
Town & Country 11265 11589 -7% 43071 49032 -12%
CHRYSLER TRUCK 27868 27023 -1% 106096 115784 -8%
CHRYSLER BRAND 44930 43805 -2% 172701 184333 -6%
Wrangler 6108 6365 -8% 18495 20570 -10%
Cherokee 0 9333 -100% 0 43227 -100%
Liberty 12437 0 0% 47317 0 0%
Grand Cherokee 19142 16770 10% 70449 75215 -6%
JEEP BRAND 37687 32468 11% 136261 139012 -2%
CP CAR 17085 19996 -18% 67008 85237 -21%
CPJ TRUCK 65555 59491 6% 242357 255136 -5%
CPJ DIVISION 82640 79487 0% 309365 340373 -9%
Neon 11490 9034 22% 43078 38001 13%
Stratus Sedan 8267 6674 19% 34251 37322 -8%
Stratus Coupe 1735 2028 -18% 5252 7548 -30%
Avenger 0 0 0% 0 143 -100%
Intrepid 12726 9825 24% 43301 41679 4%
Viper 161 107 44% 530 485 9%
DODGE CAR 34379 27668 19% 126412 125178 1%
Dakota 12229 13749 -15% 42111 52264 -19%
Ram P/U 33900 26787 21% 127629 113156 13%
Caravan 24336 22906 2% 86104 84916 1%
Durango 8893 9891 -14% 36047 44665 -19%
Ram Wagon 1562 3084 -51% 5511 8598 -36%
Ram Van 2482 3547 -33% 9441 14780 -36%
DODGE TRUCK 83402 79964 0% 306843 318379 -4%
DODGE DIVISION 117781 107632 5% 433255 443557 -2%
TOTAL CAR 51464 47664 4% 193420 210415 -8%
TOTAL TRUCK 148957 139455 3% 549200 573515 -4%
TOTAL CAR & TRUCK 200421 187119 3% 742620 783930 -5%
Total Minivan 39076 38299 -2% 143401 149551 -4%
Total Sport Utility 46580 42359 6% 172308 183677 -6%
Selling Days 25 24 101 101