Chrysler Group Reports U.S. Sales Increase for October 2006
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* Chrysler Group total sales increased 1 percent over last year * Retail sales increase substantially year-over-year * Fleet sales decline compared to last year * Jeep(R) brand sales increase 29 percent over October 2005 * Dodge Truck sales improve 11 percent versus year ago levels
AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Nov. 1 -- Chrysler Group reported sales for October 2006 of 159,586 units, an increase of 1 percent (3 percent decrease unadjusted) compared to October 2005 sales of 164,814 units. All sales are reported on a day-rate basis unless otherwise indicated.
"Our retail sales were particularly strong in October, led by the strength of key products like Jeep(R) Commander and the Dodge Ram pickup," said Steven Landry, Vice President - Sales and Field Operations, Chrysler Group. "Combined with the exciting new products hitting our dealer showrooms like Chrysler Sebring and Dodge Nitro, it's a great way to start the fourth quarter."
New Products
The icon of the Jeep brand, Wrangler, posted a monthly sales record of 8,679 units, an increase of 102 percent compared to previous year results of 4,475 units.
The all new-new Dodge Nitro is proving to be popular with customers as shown by its strong month-over-month growth of 228 percent to 3,044 units. In its first month of limited availability, September 2006, sales were 966 units.
Sales of the Chrysler Sebring are strong, despite limited availability nationwide. October sales of the Chrysler Sebring totaled 2,892 units, an increase of 181 percent over September 2006 sales of 1,664 units.
"The Jeep Wrangler, Dodge Nitro and Chrysler Sebring represent the latest offerings of the Chrysler Group, delivering vehicles with significant value with unique features that customers are looking for," said Landry. "Our dealers are excited about these new products and customers are showing their support of them with their purchases."
Jeep
Sales of the Jeep brand increased 29 percent to 40,297 units. Last year sales of the Jeep brand totaled 32,431 units.
The Jeep Liberty led the SUV segment, posting sales of 11,004 units, an increase of 10 percent over October 2005 sales of 10,417 units.
The Jeep Commander posted October record sales of 8,079 units and rose 159 percent compared to October 2005 sales of 3,241 units.
Dodge
The Dodge Ram pickup led the Dodge brand with sales of 28,251 units, an increase of 17 percent over October 2005 sales of 25,086 units. Overall Dodge brand sales totaled 77,654 units relatively flat in comparison to last year's sales of 80,617 units.
The Dodge Caliber remains strong with sales of 7,790 units. Total year-to- date Dodge Caliber sales are 75,791 units.
The Dodge Dakota pickup posted sales of 4,943 units, an increase of 12 percent over October 2005 sales of 4,601 units.
Dodge Charger sales rose 26 percent to 8,619 units. October 2005 sales were 7,119.
In the commercial products segment, the Dodge Sprinter van achieved a record month, posting sales of 2,289 units, an increase of 28 percent over previous year sales of 1,855 units.
Chrysler
The first SUV for the Chrysler brand, the Chrysler Aspen, totaled 1,524 units in its second month of availability, representing a month-over-month increase of 116 percent. Overall Chrysler brand sales declined 16 percent to 41,635 units versus October 2005 sales of 51,766 units.
"The Chrysler Group will remain competitive by focusing on the new products already in the marketplace and on the remaining products yet to be launched this year," said Michael Manley - Vice President, Sales Strategy and Dealer Operations. "Our aggressive sales plan - in conjunction with our dealers - has reduced 2006 model year inventories to less than 50 percent of the total inventory and helped to start the fourth quarter on a good note."
Chrysler Group finished the month with 508,724 units of dealer inventory, or an 80-day supply.
DaimlerChrysler Corporation U.S. Sales Summary Thru October 2006
Month Sales DR % Vol %
Model Curr Yr Pr Yr Change Change
Sebring 2,892 9,579 -69% -70%
Concorde 0 0 0% 0%
300 10,518 12,835 -15% -18%
Crossfire 763 1,099 -28% -31%
PT Cruiser 10,692 12,201 -9% -12%
Aspen 1,524 0 0% 0%
Pacifica 5,578 5,741 1% -3%
Town & Country 9,668 10,311 -2% -6%
CHRYSLER BRAND 41,635 51,766 -16% -20%
Compass 3,342 0 0% 0%
Wrangler 8,679 4,475 102% 94%
Liberty 11,004 10,417 10% 6%
Grand Cherokee 9,193 14,298 -33% -36%
Commander 8,079 3,241 159% 149%
JEEP BRAND 40,297 32,431 29% 24%
Neon 195 5,519 -96% -96%
Caliber 7,790 0 0% 0%
Stratus 363 11,127 -97% -97%
Intrepid 0 0 0% 0%
Charger 8,619 7,119 26% 21%
Viper 198 154 34% 29%
Magnum 2,576 2,966 -10% -13%
Dakota 4,943 4,601 12% 7%
Ram P/U 28,251 25,086 17% 13%
Caravan 12,454 15,101 -14% -18%
Durango 6,932 7,089 2% -2%
Nitro 3,044 0 0% 0%
Ram Van/Wagon 0 0 0% 0%
Sprinter Van 2,289 1,855 28% 23%
DODGE BRAND 77,654 80,617 0% -4%
TOTAL CHRYSLER GROUP 159,586 164,814 1% -3%
TOTAL CG CAR 32,369 48,276 -30% -33%
TOTAL CG TRUCK 127,217 116,538 14% 9%
Selling Days 25 26
Sales CYTD DR % Vol %
Model Curr Yr Pr Yr Change Change
Sebring 49,618 78,122 -36% -36%
Concorde 0 210 -100% -100%
300 116,625 119,219 -2% -2%
Crossfire 8,144 12,602 -35% -35%
PT Cruiser 116,806 112,380 4% 4%
Aspen 2,258 0 0% 0%
Pacifica 66,463 73,023 -9% -9%
Town & Country 136,721 151,612 -10% -10%
CHRYSLER BRAND 496,635 547,168 -9% -9%
Compass 9,790 0 0% 0%
Wrangler 62,913 69,172 -9% -9%
Liberty 114,218 141,403 -19% -19%
Grand Cherokee 118,351 178,119 -34% -34%
Commander 72,908 4,765 1430% 1430%
JEEP BRAND 378,180 393,459 -4% -4%
Neon 17,239 104,851 -84% -84%
Caliber 75,791 0 0% 0%
Stratus 50,647 88,294 -43% -43%
Intrepid 0 298 -100% -100%
Charger 96,387 30,840 213% 213%
Viper 1,311 1,311 0% 0%
Magnum 35,222 45,637 -23% -23%
Dakota 66,416 90,844 -27% -27%
Ram P/U 303,476 343,898 -12% -12%
Caravan 182,805 194,408 -6% -6%
Durango 60,349 97,881 -38% -38%
Nitro 4,010 0 0% 0%
Ram Van/Wagon 0 405 -100% -100%
Sprinter Van 19,066 16,192 18% 18%
DODGE BRAND 912,719 1,014,859 -10% -10%
TOTAL CHRYSLER GROUP 1,787,534 1,955,486 -9% -9%
TOTAL CG CAR 426,776 452,114 -6% -6%
TOTAL CG TRUCK 1,360,758 1,503,372 -9% -9%
Selling Days 255 255