03.02.2010 CHRYSLER'S U.S. SALES CONTINUE TO FALL DURING JANUARY DESPITE AN OVERALL MARKET RISE

JEEP

Chrysler Group's sales continued to slide in the U.S. during January, with 57,143 units registered the part Fiat owned carmaker was down 8.0 percent year-on-year while the overall market rose again, up 6.3 percent on the same month a year ago. Splitting the brands, Chrysler was down 2 percent year-on-year, Jeep down 7 percent, Dodge up 1 percent and Ram down 25 percent.

Completing the bleak picture, Chrysler's main Detroit rivals Ford and GM both saw their own vehicle sales climb during January, up 24 and 15 percent respectively, although Japan's Toyota, battered by a massive vehicle defect recall and temporary sales halt, saw its sales fall 16 percent year-on-year. Chrysler Group reported its inventory standing at 172,803 units, down 52 percent compared with January 2009's level of 359,980 units, representing a 73-day supply. Overall industry figures for January are projected to come in at an estimated 10.9 million SAAR.

There were a few positives for Chrysler Group last month: the Dodge Journey posted year-over-year gains, up 55 percent, and up also for the third consecutive month, while the Chrysler Sebring was up 85 percent. Other winners included Jeep's Compass (+52 percent) and Dodge's Avenger (+44 percent) and Caravan (+34 percent). Other risers included the Chrysler Town & Country, Jeep Grand Cherokee and Commander, and the Dodge Caliber. Meanwhile the list of year-on-year losers included the Chrysler 300 (-26 percent), Jeep Wrangler (-23 percent) and Dodge Charger (-47 percent).

The split-away Ram truck division continues to suffer badly, it lost a quarter of its sales year-on-year in January despite being the only division to benefit from having new models in the line-up. Curiously, Ram brand CEO Fred Diaz who is also the Lead Executive for the Sales Organization was upbeat in a written statement today. “The company continues to make positive strides each month and that trend continued in January,” said Diaz. “With refreshed products and all-new models hitting the marketplace this year, Chrysler Group employees and dealers are excited to share with consumers all the good things happening in 2010.”

Attempting to lure Toyota owners battered by the product recalls and a sales freeze, Chrysler Group is following GM's lead and offering incentives to entice the Japanese brand's owners to consider its own products. Chrysler is thus offering current Tundra, Tacoma and Sienna owners an additional $1,000 trade-in bonus cash with the purchase or lease of any new Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge car or Ram truck. In addition, $1,000 bonus cash is available to all Toyota returning lessees who purchase or lease a new Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge car or Ram truck vehicle. The reliance on incentives sees Chrysler continuing its “Zero Percent Financing” for most 2010 model year vehicles as well as its expanded “Invest in America” partnership with more than 90 million credit union members in the United States. The credit union member-preferred pricing program has been expanded to include all 2010 model year vehicles.

Chrysler Group LLC U.S. Sales: January 2010
        Month Sales Vol %       Sales CYTD Vol %
Model Curr Mo Pr Yr Change Curr Yr Pr Yr Change
Sebring

3,593

1,943

85%

3,593

1,943

85%

300

1,654

2,250

-26%

1,654

2,250

-26%

Crossfire

0

43

-100%

0

43

-100%

PT Cruiser

641

947

-32%

641

947

-32%

Aspen

24

886

-97%

24

886

-97%

Pacifica

0

324

-100%

0

324

-100%

Town & Country

4,531

4,292

6%

4,531

4,292

6%

CHRYSLER BRAND

10,443

10,685

-2%

10,443

10,685

-2%

Compass

1,244

819

52%

1,244

819

52%

Patriot

1,972

2,114

-7%

1,972

2,114

-7%

Wrangler

4,888

6,362

-23%

4,888

6,362

-23%

Liberty

2,987

3,343

-11%

2,987

3,343

-11%

Grand Cherokee

3,311

3,124

6%

3,311

3,124

6%

Commander

1,313

1,072

22%

1,313

1,072

22%

JEEP BRAND

15,715

16,834

-7%

15,715

16,834

-7%

Caliber

2,506

2,400

4%

2,506

2,400

4%

Avenger

3,134

2,171

44%

3,134

2,171

44%

Charger

2,125

4,028

-47%

2,125

4,028

-47%

Challenger

1,683

2,757

-39%

1,683

2,757

-39%

Viper

26

127

-80%

26

127

-80%

Magnum

0

27

-100%

0

27

-100%

Journey

4,790

3,092

55%

4,790

3,092

55%

Caravan

4,298

3,219

34%

4,298

3,219

34%

Nitro

1,368

1,530

-11%

1,368

1,530

-11%

Durango

23

502

-95%

23

502

-95%

DODGE BRAND

19,953

19,853

1%

19,953

19,853

1%

Dakota

994

1,459

-32%

994

1,459

-32%

Ram P/U

9,957

12,843

-22%

9,957

12,843

-22%

Sprinter

81

483

-83%

81

483

-83%

RAM BRAND

11,032

14,785

-25%

11,032

14,785

-25%

TOTAL DODGE

30,985

34,638

-11%

30,985

34,638

-11%

 

 

 

TOTAL Chrysler Group LLC

57,143

62,157

-8%

57,143

62,157

-8%

 

 

 

          TOTAL CAR

14,721

15,747

-7%

14,721

15,747

-7%

          TOTAL TRUCK

42,422

46,410

-9%

42,422

46,410

-9%

Selling Days

24

26

 

24

26

 

 

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