Chrysler Group Reports U.S. Sales for May 2005 Increased 6 Percent
* Chrysler Brand Sets All-Time Monthly Sales Record * Minivans Continue Segment Dominance, Sales Increase 8 Percent * Chrysler 300 Continues Its String of Monthly Sales Exceeding 10,000 Units * Dodge Charger Available at Dealerships Nationwide, Nearly 2,000 Unit Sales in 10 Days with Limited Availability
AUBURN HILLS, Mich., June 1 -- Chrysler Group reported today that U.S. sales for May 2005 were 214,575 units, an increase of 6 percent. Compared to May 2004 which had two additional selling days and one additional selling weekend, unadjusted Chrysler Group sales declined 3 percent. All sales are reported on a day-rate adjusted basis unless otherwise indicated.
"With two fewer selling days during May and one less selling weekend, our dealers performed extremely well this month selling Chrysler Group products," said Gary Dilts, Chrysler Group Senior Vice President - Sales. "Our product fundamentals are strong in our Large Car, Minivan, Sports Tourer and Truck categories that led to sales gains during May."
Chrysler Group's industry-leading minivans with the exclusive Stow 'n Go(TM) seating once again reinforced its dominance in the minivan segment by posting sales of 39,309 units, an increase of 8 percent over May 2004 sales of 39,387 units.
The company's Sports Tourer segment saw significant growth of 34 percent to 21,335 units in May 2005 compared to May 2004 sales of 17,312. Truck sales increased 1 percent to 51,693 units helped in part by strong Dodge Dakota sales, which increased 16 percent.
Sales of the Large Car segment increased 20 percent to 36,559 units, led by the Chrysler 300. It continued its healthy sales pace by posting sales of 12,958 units, a 7 percent increase over May 2004 sales, and a 14 percent increase over April 2005 sales of 12,837 units.
"The Chrysler 300 has proven it has staying power and broad appeal," said Dilts. "We've sold nearly 170,000 since last April and it is being purchased by every demographic category, with 20 percent of Chrysler 300 customers adding the vehicle to cars they already own instead of trading in another vehicle to get it."
Propelled by the sustained success of the Chrysler 300 and the Chrysler Town & Country minivan, the Chrysler brand set an all-time monthly sales record of 61,696 units, a 17 percent increase over record May 2004 sales of 57,333.
Overall, the Dodge brand increased by 1 percent to 112,610 units. The Dodge brand has returned to the sedan market with the introduction of the all- new, Hemi-powered Dodge Charger, which began arriving at Dodge dealerships nationwide during the month of May.
"Early feedback on the Dodge Charger has been extremely positive and indicates that customers are excited about the Dodge brand's reinterpretation of the classic," said Dilts. "Consumers have already bought 1,841 units
during May in only 10 days of being available and very few vehicles actually on dealers' lots."
Other Dodge brand products include the Dodge Dakota that posted increased sales of 16 percent to 11,840 units compared to May 2004 sales of 11,019 units and the Dodge Magnum, which posted increased sales of 5,035 units, a 135 percent increase over its introductory May 2004 sales of 2,320 units and 7 percent higher than April 2005.
Led by the strong sales of the Jeep(R) Grand Cherokee, which increased 9 percent to 18,040 units, and the Jeep Wrangler which increased 11 percent to 8,543 units, the Jeep brand posted sales of 40,269 units, an increase of 4 percent over May 2004 sales.
"The economy is continuing its steady recovery. The stock market has had a string of positive days, rising 100 points during May, consumer confidence has improved 5 percent since April and durable goods indicators are pointing positive along with housing starts," said Dilts. "We continue to launch head- turning products at a steady pace, joining the industry-leading products we already have in the marketplace. We are bullish about the economy and the prospects for buying a car for the rest of this year."
Chrysler Group finished the month with 584,432 units of inventory, or a 65-day supply.
DaimlerChrysler Corporation U.S. Sales Summary Thru May 2005
Month Sales DR % Vol %
Model Curr Yr Pr Yr Change Change
Sebring 10,227 10,808 3% -5%
Concorde 0 388 -100% -100%
300 12,958 13,694 3% -5%
Crossfire 1,744 1,669 13% 4%
PT Cruiser 12,312 10,449 28% 18%
Pacifica 7,261 6,633 19% 9%
Town & Country 17,194 13,692 36% 26%
CHRYSLER BRAND 61,696 57,333 17% 8%
Wrangler 8,543 8,350 11% 2%
Liberty 13,686 15,414 -4% -11%
Grand Cherokee 18,040 18,001 9% 0%
JEEP BRAND 40,269 41,765 4% -4%
Neon 11,263 10,886 12% 3%
Stratus 11,150 10,065 20% 11%
Intrepid 0 626 -100% -100%
Charger 1,841 0 0% 0%
Viper 146 186 -15% -22%
Magnum 5,035 2,320 135% 117%
Dakota 11,840 11,019 16% 7%
Ram P/U 38,051 42,635 -3% -11%
Caravan 22,115 25,695 -7% -14%
Durango 9,367 15,817 -36% -41%
Ram Van/Wagon 0 820 -100% -100%
Sprinter Van 1,802 964 103% 87%
DODGE BRAND 112,610 121,033 1% -7%
TOTAL CHRYSLER GROUP 214,575 220,131 6% -3%
TOTAL CG CAR 52,602 50,412 13% 4%
TOTAL CG TRUCK 161,973 169,719 3% -5%
Selling Days 24 26
Sales CYTD DR % Vol %
Model Curr Yr Pr Yr Change Change
Sebring 43,488 48,648 -9% -11%
Concorde 203 2,904 -93% -93%
300 62,047 28,347 122% 119%
Crossfire 6,124 6,197 0% -1%
PT Cruiser 53,821 53,632 2% 0%
Pacifica 34,757 33,997 4% 2%
Town & Country 78,350 58,559 36% 34%
CHRYSLER BRAND 278,790 232,284 22% 20%
Wrangler 32,114 37,746 -14% -15%
Liberty 68,824 72,740 -4% -5%
Grand Cherokee 83,590 82,201 3% 2%
JEEP BRAND 184,528 192,687 -3% -4%
Neon 52,134 54,324 -3% -4%
Stratus 49,492 46,037 9% 8%
Intrepid 285 5,957 -95% -95%
Charger 1,841 0 0% 0%
Viper 630 779 -18% -19%
Magnum 26,543 2,320 1062% 1044%
Dakota 47,505 45,563 6% 4%
Ram P/U 163,094 178,764 -7% -9%
Caravan 103,811 105,715 0% -2%
Durango 52,469 54,419 -2% -4%
Ram Van/Wagon 321 4,171 -92% -92%
Sprinter Van 6,410 3,626 80% 77%
DODGE BRAND 504,535 501,675 2% 1%
TOTAL CHRYSLER GROUP 967,853 926,646 6% 4%
TOTAL CG CAR 225,389 199,881 15% 13%
TOTAL CG TRUCK 742,464 726,765 4% 2%
Selling Days 126 128