Chrysler Group Reports Sales for October 2005
* Chrysler 300 Sales Surpass 10,000 Units for 17th Month Since Introduction * Chrysler PT Cruiser Sales Increase 66 Percent * Chrysler Brand Sales Rise 12 Percent * Chrysler Group Year-To-Date Sales are 7 Percent Higher than Year-Ago Period * Jeep Brand Sales Increase 8 Percent on Strength of Grand Cherokee * Dodge Charger Sales Exceed 30,000 Units Since Introduction * Dodge Stratus Sets October Sales Record
AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Nov. 1 -- A difficult retail environment where total and retail sales for the industry were down sharply contributed to a decline in retail sales for the Chrysler Group in October. Total sales for October 2005 were 164,814 units, a 1 percent increase (3 percent decrease unadjusted) based upon a strong rise in commercial/fleet sales from October 2004 when 170,169 units were sold. All sales are reported on a day-rate basis.
"The success of the employee pricing programs that ended in September and strong prior year performance totals contributed to a weak retail market in October for us and the industry," said Gary Dilts, Chrysler Group Senior Vice President - Sales. "But strong products like the Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger, Jeep Grand Cherokee and our Stow 'n Go minivans opened the door for us with commercial/fleet customers and provided the momentum for a record month in commercial vehicle sales."
The Chrysler Group has several products that posted strong results in October despite a difficult retail environment. Overall, sales for the Chrysler Group during 2005 are 7 percent higher than the same year-to-date period in 2004.
Strong sales of the Chrysler 300 and Chrysler PT Cruiser helped to push sales of the Chrysler brand up 12 percent to 51,766 units over October 2004 sales of 48,178 units.
The Chrysler 300 continued to maintain its staying power in the marketplace by posting sales of 12,835 units, a 23 percent increase over October 2004, and marking the 17th time in 19 months the vehicle has sold in excess of 10,000 units.
The Chrysler PT Cruiser experienced a strong month by posting sales of 12,201 units during October 2005, an increase of 50 percent over October 2004 results when 8,425 units were sold.
Jeep brand sales posted sales of 32,431 units, an increase of 8 percent over October 2004 sales of 31,132 units.
Jeep brand sales were led by the strong sales of the Jeep Grand Cherokee, which rose 6 percent on 14,298 units sold. Grand Cherokee sales in October 2004 totaled 13,968 units.
Sales of the all-new Jeep Commander continue to pick up pace as the vehicle continues to arrive at Jeep dealers nationwide. Sales for October 2005 increased 104 percent over September 2005 sales to 3,241 units. The Jeep Commander is the first vehicle in the rapidly expanding Jeep product portfolio to have three rows of seating.
Sales of the Dodge Charger were up 1 percent month-over-month, posting sales of 7,119 units. Total units sales for the Dodge Charger since its introduction in May 2005 has exceeded 30,000 units. The all-new Dodge Charger has made a name for itself in the marketplace while generating excitement and enthusiasm among customers who are looking for superior performance at a great price.
The Dodge Stratus sedan established a new October sales record by posting sales of 11,027 units, an increase of 70 percent over October 2004 and marking the best October sales since 1997 when 9,062 units were sold.
The Jeep Liberty Diesel continues to perform well in the market with consumers looking for alternate fuel vehicles. Total sales for the Jeep Liberty CRD since introduction totaled 7,560 units. The average time on the lot before purchase is 63 days.
Chrysler Group minivans, with the exclusive Stow 'n Go seating system, posted sales of 25,412 units, a slight decrease compared to a strong October 2004, but an increase of 18 percent over September 2005 sales.
"We are disappointed in our October retail performance," said Dilts. "But our positive performance in October was made possible by the strength of our product portfolio and the strong interest from commercial customers in our products. We anticipate that we will continue to build on the momentum we have established over the past 19 months."
Chrysler Group finished the month with 602,484 units of inventory, or a 95-day supply.
DaimlerChrysler Corporation U.S. Sales Summary Thru October 2005
Month Sales DR % Vol %
Model Curr Yr Pr Yr Change Change
Sebring 9,579 6,761 47% 42%
Concorde 0 136 -100% -100%
300 12,835 10,818 23% 19%
Crossfire 1,099 1,353 -16% -19%
CHRYSLER CAR 24,357 20,378 24% 20%
PT Cruiser 12,201 8,425 50% 45%
Pacifica 5,741 10,029 -41% -43%
Town & Country 10,311 10,656 0% -3%
CHRYSLER TRUCK 27,409 27,800 2% -1%
CHRYSLER BRAND 51,766 48,178 12% 7%
Wrangler 4,475 5,437 -15% -18%
Liberty 10,417 11,727 -8% -11%
Grand Cherokee 14,298 13,968 6% 2%
Commander 3,241 0 0% 0%
JEEP BRAND 32,431 31,132 8% 4%
CHRYSLER CAR 24,357 20,378 24% 20%
CJ TRUCK 59,840 58,932 5% 2%
CJ DIVISION 84,197 79,310 10% 6%
Neon 5,519 7,772 -26% -29%
Stratus 11,127 7,941 46% 40%
Intrepid 186 NA NA
Charger 7,119 0 0% 0%
Viper 154 120 33% 28%
DODGE CAR 23,919 16,019 55% 49%
Magnum 2,966 4,749 -35% -38%
Dakota 4,601 6,884 -31% -33%
Ram P/U 25,086 34,717 -25% -28%
Caravan 15,101 16,536 -5% -9%
Durango 7,089 10,508 -30% -33%
Ram Van/Wagon 0 523 -100% -100%
Sprinter Van 1,855 923 109% 101%
DODGE TRUCK 56,698 74,840 -21% -24%
DODGE BRAND 80,617 90,859 -8% -11%
TOTAL CHRYSLER GROUP 164,814 170,169 1% -3%
Selling Days 26 27
Sales CYTD DR % Vol %
Model Curr Yr Pr Yr Change Change
Sebring 78,122 90,485 -13% -14%
Concorde 210 4,078 -95% -95%
300 119,219 87,831 37% 36%
Crossfire 12,602 12,653 0% 0%
CHRYSLER CAR 226,520 209,247 9% 8%
PT Cruiser 112,380 97,767 16% 15%
Pacifica 73,023 69,447 6% 5%
Town & Country 151,612 115,995 32% 31%
CHRYSLER TRUCK 320,648 269,009 20% 19%
CHRYSLER BRAND 547,168 478,256 15% 14%
Wrangler 69,172 68,899 1% 0%
Liberty 141,403 141,321 1% 0%
Grand Cherokee 178,119 148,559 21% 20%
Commander 4,765 0 0% 0%
JEEP BRAND 393,459 358,779 11% 10%
CHRYSLER CAR 226,520 209,247 9% 8%
CJ TRUCK 714,107 627,788 15% 14%
CJ DIVISION 940,627 837,035 13% 12%
Neon 104,851 98,302 7% 7%
Stratus 88,294 83,993 6% 5%
Intrepid 298 7,627 -96% -96%
Charger 30,840 0 0% 0%
Viper 1,311 1,533 -14% -14%
DODGE CAR 225,594 191,455 19% 18%
Magnum 45,637 27,765 66% 64%
Dakota 90,844 91,900 0% -1%
Ram P/U 343,898 363,646 -5% -5%
Caravan 194,408 201,911 -3% -4%
Durango 97,881 114,167 -14% -14%
Ram Van/Wagon 405 6,617 -94% -94%
Sprinter Van 16,192 7,968 105% 103%
DODGE TRUCK 789,265 813,974 -2% -3%
DODGE BRAND 1,014,859 1,005,429 2% 1%
TOTAL CHRYSLER GROUP 1,955,486 1,842,464 7% 6%
Selling Days 255 257