Press Release
Chrysler International Announces September Sales
10/07/96
September Third Highest-Selling Month In Chrysler International
History
AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Oct. 3 -- With sales of 19,077
units, September was the third highest sales month in Chrysler's
international history since re-entering international
markets in 1987, up 22 percent over year-ago figures. Sales of
Chrysler and Jeep(R) vehicles around the world continue to increase
during the first nine months of 1996, totaling 162,675 units, up 17
percent over the same period in 1995.
"Every one of our international regions is up for the first three
quarters of 1996. We expect this positive trend to continue throughout
the year," said Thomas C. Gale, Chrysler Executive Vice President -
International Operations and Product Design. "We are re-entering new
markets like South Africa, New Zealand, Thailand and Brazil. In
addition to that, we're in the midst of launching new right-hand drive
products in key markets like Australia, Japan and the United
Kingdom. As those products and outlets become established, each will
add substantially to our continuous growth in more mature markets like
mainland Europe, Puerto Rico, Venezuela, U.A.E. and Saudi Arabia."
While Europe continues to be the volume leader for Chrysler's
international sales, Latin America and the Middle East/Africa posted
the strongest regional showings for the month, up 60% and 48%,
respectively over year-ago figures. In addition, the Middle
East/Africa set an all-time sales record in September with 1,825
vehicles.
Jeep brand vehicles continue to be Chrysler's top worldwide seller
with September's Jeep Grand Cherokee sales up 111% over the same
period last year. Chrysler's minivans also recorded solid sales in
September up 32%.
In the last two months, Chrysler has made several major international
announcements including constructing a plant in Brazil to produce the
all-new Dakota compact pickup truck, establishing Chrysler Korea Sales
Limited (a wholly-owned subsidiary for importation and distribution),
opening a Southeast Asian Regional headquarters in Singapore and, just
this week, the joint venture agreement with the BMW Group to build a
new family of four-cylinder engines.
"As we enter the final quarter for 1996, we expect continued growth as
we take further steps to expand our international reach and in turn
give consumers more of the products they want to buy and will buy
again," added Gale.
CHRYSLER INTERNATIONAL SALES
Sept. 1996 Sept. 1995 % Change
--------------------------------------------------------------
Europe 8,782 6,404 37%
Asia/Pacific 6,368 6,703 -5%
Latin America 2,102 1,312 60%
Middle East/Africa 1,825 1,229 48%
--------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL 19,077 15,648 22%
CYTD 1996 CYTD 1995 % Change
--------------------------------------------------------------
Europe 77,557 63,378 22%
Asia/Pacific 57,318 53,141 8%
Latin America 14,517 11,319 28%
Middle East/Africa 13,283 10,830 23%
--------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL 162,675 138,668 17%