Chrysler International Announces October Sales
5 November 1997
Chrysler Sales Continue Rapid Growth in Latin America; International Minivan Sales Increase 40 Percent in OctoberAUBURN HILLS, Mich., Nov. 5 -- Venezuela led Chrysler Corporation's international markets for the second consecutive month, posting an October sales increase of 226 percent. Chrysler International reported retail sales of 2,371 vehicles in Venezuela in October, up from 728 in October 1996. For the year's first 10 months, sales were 15,529 vs. 4,535 in the comparable period of 1996. Chrysler's total sales in Latin America in October were 107 percent higher than a year ago, at 4,967 vehicles. Brazil and Argentina joined Venezuela with triple-digit percentage increases. "We've expanded our product lineups and dealer networks, and strengthened Chrysler's support staff in South America," said Edwin H. Brust, General Manager - Latin America, Middle East and Africa Operations. "This year's growth in our Latin America business is the result. We're confident that it will continue, although there might be a slight softening in the short term as markets in South America react to unsettled economies in other parts of the world." Overall, Chrysler's sales in markets outside North America totaled 19,556 vehicles in October, down 2 percent from 19,977 a year ago. However, sales of minivans increased 40 percent from the October 1996 level. Minivan sales outside North America totaled 5,346 vehicles, compared with 3,808 a year ago. For the year to date through October, Chrysler International's sales were 196,866 vehicles, an increase from 8 percent from the 1996 10-month total of 182,660. Minivan sales for the period were up 18 percent at 51,761. Chrysler's October sales in Europe were off 1 percent at 7,883. The October total in the Asia/Pacific region, stung by currency crises in most of the major markets, was 5,052, down 35 percent from a year ago. Sales in Chrysler's Middle East/Africa region were 1,654, down 10 percent from October 1996. SOURCE Chrysler Corporation