Chrysler Group Announces March 2007 U.S. Sales
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SEE ALSO:Jeep Buyers Guide
SEE ALSO:Dodge Buyers Guide
- Dodge Ram light duty pick-up truck up 15 percent
- Jeep(R) brand up 4 percent in March and up 5 percent for the first quarter
- Jeep Wrangler sales of 13,397 units mark the vehicles' best month ever
- Vehicle inventory significantly reduced year-over-year by approximately 107,000 units or 18 percent
- Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Caravan/Grand Caravan with no-extra- charge DVD system in April - Minivan Month follows successful 'National Truck Month'
AUBURN HILLS, Mich., April 3 -- Chrysler Group reported sales for March 2007 of 206,435 units; down 5 percent compared to a very strong March 2006. All sales figures are reported unadjusted.
"In a flat to slightly down industry, our sales decline of 5 percent compares to a March 2006 that was our best month of March in four years," said Steven Landry, Vice President, Sales and Field Operations. "With strong monthly sales of the Dodge Ram light duty pick-up truck, the Dodge Avenger and Nitro along with Jeep(R) brand sales up 4 percent, we surpassed our own expectations."
The Dodge Nitro had its strongest month ever since the introduction of the model in October 2006 and posted sales of 7,532 units in March. The all-new Dodge Avenger finished the month with sales of 9,026 units. The vehicle is just one of Chrysler Group's recently introduced fuel-efficient offerings that achieve 30 miles per gallon or better in highway driving.
Two other Dodge brand car models also had a strong month: Dodge Caliber sales increased 32 percent over March 2006 with sales of 8,634 units. The Dodge Charger gained 41 percent over last year and posted sales of 12,707 units (March 2006: 9,023 units).
Jeep brand sales were up 4 percent in March with 45,335 units sold. The Jeep Compass (3,802 units), Jeep Patriot (2,109 units) and the continuously strong Jeep Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited with an increase of 64 percent over March 2006 and sales of 13,397 units contributed to the overall gain for the brand. March 2007 marks the best month ever in the Jeep Wrangler's history.
For the first quarter 2007, the Jeep brand posted an increase of 5 percent over the first three months last year with 118,472 units sold (2006: 112,951 units).
Improved Dealer Relations
Chrysler Group's Sales organization, led by President and CEO Tom LaSorda, proceeded in the first quarter to intensify dealer relations and communications.
"We continue to deliver on our promise to spend more time with our dealers, and make their profitability a priority," said Tom LaSorda. "One important achievement in the month of March was that our vehicle inventory was down by more than 100,000 units compared to the previous year -- in-line with the guidance we gave earlier."
Minivan Month in April
With 'National Minivan Month' in April, Chrysler Group continues to focus its Marketing approach and incentive offerings on its vehicles' strong product features.
"Combined with a competitive vehicle pricing, we will feature a no-extra- charge DVD system for our Chrysler Town & Country, Dodge Caravan and Dodge Grand Caravan minivans," said Michael Manley, Vice President, Sales and Dealer Operations. "The Minivan Month follows a successful 'National Truck Month' in which our no-extra-charge HEMI(R) engine upgrade contributed to another 15 percent gain in sales for the Dodge Ram light duty pick-up truck -- following two already strong months in 2007."
Chrysler Group finished the month with 499,771 units of inventory, or a 68-day supply. Inventory is significantly down by 18 percent compared to March 2006 when it was at 606,734 units.
DaimlerChrysler Corporation U.S. Sales Summary Thru March 2007
Month Sales DR % Vol %
Model Curr Yr Pr Yr Change Change
Sebring (vehicle line total) 8,306 9,706 -17% -14%
Sebring Sedan 7,908 6,106 25% 30%
Sebring Convertible 398 3,513 -89% -89%
300 11,376 12,901 -15% -12%
Crossfire 678 523 25% 30%
PT Cruiser 8,531 10,224 -20% -17%
Aspen 2,896 0 0% 0%
Pacifica 6,438 9,781 -37% -34%
Town & Country 13,649 15,998 -18% -15%
CHRYSLER BRAND 51,874 59,133 -15% -12%
Compass 3,802 0 0% 0%
Patriot 2,109 0 0% 0%
Wrangler 13,397 8,180 58% 64%
Liberty 9,634 13,219 -30% -27%
Grand Cherokee 10,398 14,184 -29% -27%
Commander 5,995 7,977 -28% -25%
JEEP BRAND 45,335 43,560 0% 4%
Neon 0 4,068 -100% -100%
Caliber 8,634 6,541 27% 32%
Stratus 419 10,058 -96% -96%
Avenger 9,026 0 0% 0%
Charger 12,707 9,023 36% 41%
Viper 54 147 -65% -63%
Magnum 2,983 4,898 -41% -39%
Dakota 6,411 8,165 -24% -21%
Ram P/U 38,301 38,709 -5% -1%
Caravan 17,921 24,733 -30% -28%
Durango 4,362 5,317 -21% -18%
Nitro 7,532 0 0% 0%
Sprinter 876 2,060 -59% -57%
DODGE BRAND 109,226 113,719 -7% -4%
TOTAL CHRYSLER GROUP 206,435 216,412 -8% -5%
TOTAL CG CAR 52,625 54,033 -6% -3%
TOTAL CG TRUCK 153,810 162,379 -9% -5%
Selling Days 28 27
Sales CYTD DR % Vol %
Model Curr Yr Pr Yr Change Change
Sebring (vehicle line total) 20,935 27,104 -25% -23%
Sebring Sedan 20,145 17,393 13% 16%
Sebring Convertible 790 9,500 -92% -92%
300 30,376 39,332 -25% -23%
Crossfire 2,281 1,394 59% 64%
PT Cruiser 25,333 32,526 -24% -22%
Aspen 7,244 0 0% 0%
Pacifica 16,432 23,544 -32% -30%
Town & Country 36,871 38,988 -8% -5%
CHRYSLER BRAND 139,472 162,888 -17% -14%
Compass 11,838 0 0% 0%
Patriot 2,928 0 0% 0%
Wrangler 31,591 17,683 74% 79%
Liberty 24,363 35,424 -33% -31%
Grand Cherokee 30,856 40,567 -26% -24%
Commander 16,896 19,277 -15% -12%
JEEP BRAND 118,472 112,951 2% 5%
Neon 0 11,422 -100% -100%
Caliber 27,206 7,938 234% 243%
Stratus 942 30,666 -97% -97%
Avenger 15,515 0 0% 0%
Charger 30,923 28,908 4% 7%
Viper 153 369 -60% -59%
Magnum 8,425 13,357 -39% -37%
Dakota 15,399 19,008 -21% -19%
Ram P/U 91,313 90,386 -2% 1%
Caravan 52,889 58,624 -12% -10%
Durango 14,590 20,909 -32% -30%
Nitro 19,697 0 0% 0%
Sprinter 2,253 4,818 -54% -53%
DODGE BRAND 279,305 286,405 -5% -2%
TOTAL CHRYSLER GROUP 537,249 562,244 -7% -4%
TOTAL CG CAR 131,086 150,409 -15% -13%
TOTAL CG TRUCK 406,163 411,835 -4% -1%
Selling Days 77 75
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