Chrysler Group Posts 24 Percent August Sales Increase
Jeep(R) Brand Sets New Monthly Sales Record -- Chrysler and Dodge Brands Post Double-Digit Gains -- Dodge Ram Truck Sets August Sales RecordAUBURN HILLS, Mich., Sept. 4 -- Chrysler Group reported U.S. sales of 210,855 units for August 2002, a 24 percent increase compared to August 2001, when 164,555 units were sold.
Jeep® brand reported the best sales month in its history, with 51,603 units sold in August, an increase of 36 percent compared to August 2001, with the Grand Cherokee having its best sales month of the year. The Dodge brand reported sales of 114,360 units, up 25 percent over last year, with Ram truck leading the way. The Chrysler brand recorded August sales of 44,892 units, up 15 percent compared to last year, led by record August sales of the PT Cruiser of 14,035 units, up 13 percent over last year.
All percentages are calculated on a day-rate basis. There were 28 selling days in August 2002, versus 27 days in August 2001.
"These are the products and programs consumers are looking for," said Gary Dilts, Senior Vice President - Sales. "Our seven-year/70,000-mile powertrain warranty is among the best in the business and that appears to be resonating with buyers. Consumers recognize the value it adds to our cars and trucks. The all-new Ram 2500 and Ram 3500 are in dealerships now, so we remain confident we will close out the third quarter with a good mix of cars and trucks."
Chrysler Group car sales were strong, with 46,542 units sold in August, up 25 percent compared to last August. Most of the company's high-volume models reported double-digit increases. "As part of our overall growth objectives, we've placed an added priority on the car segment of the business," said Dilts. "Our goal is to grow our business by 1 million units in the next five to 10 years. This emphasis on the car segment will help us accomplish this goal."
Sport-utility vehicle sales for August were up 27 percent over the year- earlier month. Jeep Grand Cherokee led the way with sales of 23,298 units, up 37 percent compared to last year. Jeep Liberty reported a best-ever sales month of 21,511 units, up 81 percent over last August. Jeep Wrangler sales of 6,794 units were up 38 percent over last year.
Within the Dodge brand, Ram truck models set an August sales record of 40,440 units, an increase of 39 percent compared to August 2001. Dodge Dakota recorded 14,659 units sold in August, an increase of 30 percent compared to last August.
Chrysler Group minivans -- a key segment for the company -- continued at a strong pace in August. Chrysler and Dodge dealers sold 30,518 minivans last month, up eight percent compared to last August. Chrysler Town & Country models set an August sales record with 11,011 units sold, up 14 percent compared to last year. Dodge Caravan models recorded sales of 16,585 units, an increase of 10 percent over last August. Chrysler and Dodge remain the segment leaders in minivans, with 38.5 percent of the U.S. market.
Additional August car sales highlights, compared to the same month last year:
- Dodge Neon record August sales of 12,849 units, up 54 percent
- Dodge Stratus Sedan record August sales of 8,284 units, up 60 percent
- Dodge Stratus Coupe record August sales of 2,478 units, up 69 percent
- Chrysler Sebring Convertible sales of 3,493 units, up 25 percent
- Chrysler 300M sales of 3,162 units, up 16 percent
- Chrysler Concorde sales of 2,461 units, up 27 percent
- Chrysler Sebring Sedan record August sales of 6,378 units, up 51 percent
- Chrysler Sebring Coupe sales of 1,329 units, up 13 percent
Chrysler Group finished the month with 470,599 units of inventory, or a 62-day supply that is in line with industry standards.
DaimlerChrysler Corporation U.S. Sales Summary Thru August 2002
Month Sales DR % Sales CYTD DR %
Model Curr Yr Pr Yr Change Curr Yr Pr Yr Change
Cirrus 0 0 0% 0 371 -100%
Sebring Sedan 6,378 4,084 51% 43,419 36,141 20%
Sebring Coupe 1,329 1,137 13% 9,008 11,311 -21%
Sebring Convertible 3,493 2,687 25% 34,924 33,412 4%
Concorde 2,461 1,865 27% 22,275 19,444 14%
300M 3,162 2,619 16% 22,725 23,176 -2%
LHS 0 535 -100% 552 7,465 -93%
Prowler 101 120 -19% 1,136 646 0%
CHRYSLER CAR 16,924 13,047 25% 134,039 131,966 1%
PT Cruiser 14,035 11,951 13% 101,430 94,943 6%
Voyager 2,922 3,383 -17% 29,604 30,962 -5%
Town & Country 11,011 9,341 14% 92,391 95,451 -4%
CHRYSLER TRUCK 27,968 24,675 9% 223,425 221,696 0%
CHRYSLER BRAND 44,892 37,722 15% 357,464 353,662 1%
Wrangler 6,794 4,731 38% 44,484 47,602 -7%
Cherokee 0 3,996 -100% 0 70,789 -100%
Liberty 21,511 11,458 81% 108,739 32,506 233%
Grand Cherokee 23,298 16,381 37% 146,763 142,539 2%
JEEP BRAND 51,603 36,566 36% 299,986 293,436 2%
CP CAR 16,924 14,949 9% 134,644 160,479 -17%
CPJ TRUCK 79,571 61,241 25% 523,411 515,132 1%
CPJ DIVISION 96,495 76,190 22% 658,055 675,611 -3%
Neon 12,849 8,032 54% 90,094 77,555 16%
Stratus Sedan 8,284 4,993 60% 63,370 64,163 -2%
Stratus Coupe 2,478 1,414 69% 14,397 15,719 -9%
Avenger 0 0 0% 0 143 -100%
Intrepid 5,909 6,480 -12% 83,549 81,589 2%
Viper 98 107 -12% 1,072 978 9%
DODGE CAR 29,618 21,026 36% 252,482 240,147 5%
Dakota 14,659 10,910 30% 94,910 105,253 -10%
Ram P/U 40,440 28,028 39% 269,395 236,842 13%
Caravan 16,585 14,582 10% 180,288 170,732 5%
Durango 10,875 11,048 -5% 74,972 88,987 -16%
Ram Wagon 278 447 -40% 10,302 16,117 -36%
Ram Van 1,905 2,324 -21% 18,058 26,514 -32%
DODGE TRUCK 84,742 67,339 21% 647,925 644,445 0%
DODGE DIVISION 114,360 88,365 25% 900,407 884,592 1%
TOTAL CAR 46,542 35,975 25% 387,126 400,626 -4%
TOTAL TRUCK 164,313 128,580 23% 1,171,336 1,159,577 1%
TOTAL CAR & TRUCK 210,855 164,555 24% 1,558,462 1,560,203 -1%
Total Minivan 30,518 27,306 8% 302,283 297,485 1%
Total Sport Utility 62,478 47,614 27% 374,958 382,423 -2%
Selling Days 28 27 206 205