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The Jeep Brand posted a 17 percent
year-over-year increase in August. The new
Grand Cherokee (above) contributed to the
increase as its August sales more than
doubled sales in July although the model's
year-on-year sales were down 17 percent. |
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Chrysler Group has just
reported U.S. sales of 99,611 units during August, a 7
percent year-on-year increase (August 2009 saw 93,222
unit sales) and it meant that it was the only one of the
big carmakers on this market not to lose ground during
what turned out to be a tough month. Chrysler Group's
main rivals all slipped: fellow Chapter 11 inductee GM
lost 25 percent year-on-year by comparison while Toyota
was down 34 percent and Ford shed 11 percent. However
Chrysler Group is heavily dependent on less-profitable
fleet and rental sales to achieve its volumes and,
unlike GM, it doesn't breakdown figures meaning that its
data has to be taken as distorted.
August thus represents the fifth consecutive month of
year-over-year sales increases for Chrysler Group, now
20 percent owned by Fiat Group, and it also breaks
through CEO Sergio Marchionne's self-imposed "survival
barrier" target of 95,000 units a month. Chrysler
Group's August sales also were up 7 percent over its
sales in July.
“Chrysler Group is proud that we have beaten or matched
the average industry sales increase for the fifth
consecutive month this year and for the calendar year to
date,” said Fred Diaz, President and Chief Executive
Officer – Ram Truck Brand and Lead Executive for U.S.
Sales. “This is proof positive that we are accomplishing
our goals – steady, sustainable growth. We will continue
to build on this momentum as we begin production on a
stream of new product through the end of this year.”
Chrysler Group in August began building the mildly
improved Jeep Wrangler in Toledo and released the first
photos of the forthcoming Dodge Durango SUV, the first
variant to be spun off the Jeep Grand Cherokee platform.
Both Wrangler and Durango are part of the sixteen all
new or refreshed vehicles that Chrysler Group is
launching this year, representing 75 percent of its
vehicle lineup. Chrysler Group finished the month with a
50-day supply of inventory (197,987 units). U.S.
industry sales figures for August are projected at an
estimated 11.5 SAAR.
Chrysler Group August 2010 U.S. Sales Highlights
Jeep
The Jeep Brand posted a 17 percent year-over-year
increase in August. The new Grand Cherokee contributed
to the increase as its August sales more than doubled
sales in July although the model's year-on-year sales
were down 17 percent. The Wrangler, the brand’s volume
leader, increased year-over-year sales 37 percent.
Building on that momentum, the Model Year 2011 Wrangler
offers a mildly refreshed nterior that aims to deliver
delivers much-needed improvements in comfort,
convenience and versatility. In addition, Sahara models
now feature a new body-colour hard top for customers
looking for a Wrangler with a more premium appearance.
Production of the 2011 Wranglers began in mid August at
the Toledo Assembly Complex in Toledo, Ohio and will
arrive in dealerships in greater volume this month. The
Liberty, Compass and Patriot all had a strong August as
each model had double-digit percentage sales increases
although the Commander lost 74 percent year-on-year.
Ram Truck
Ram Truck Brand posted a 5 percent sales increase in
August, compared with the same month in 2009. Ram pickup
truck sales increased 8 percent in August, with Quad Cab
and Crew Cab the most popular choices and this was
important good news for the brand as its new pickup
range has struggled to impress customers so far. Ram
Heavy Duty sales were up 48 percent in August, with the
Crew Cab and Quad Cab models leading sales. Dodge Dakota
sales were up 55 percent in August. The Ram Truck Brand
introduced in August the Ram Outdoorsman, a new feature
package designed for North American outdoor enthusiasts.
Ram Outdoorsman takes all of the features most useful to
hunters, fishermen, campers and boaters, and packages
them into one model. The Outdoorsman aims to combine
convenience, off-road capability and trailer towing
hardware in one package.
Dodge
Dodge Brand posted a 8 percent sales increase in August,
compared with the same month in 2009. Six of eight Dodge
models posted sales increases in August, although the
Journey (-13 percent) and Caravan (-21 percent) both
slid. The Challenger sales were up 190 percent
year-on-year and the Challenger got a boost from its
first win in the NASCAR Nationwide Series racing at
Michigan International Speedway. The Challenger name
returned to NASCAR competition in July after more than a
30-year absence. The Caliber and Avenger each posted
double-digit percentage sales increases in August. The
Nitro’s three new lifestyle-targeted models – the
Detonator, Heat and Shock – attracted customers as the
model's sales increased 66 percent in August. Dodge in
August revealed teaser images that highlight design
characteristics of its forthcoming 2011 Dodge Durango
SUV while the brand also announced the new Charger
Pursuit high-performance police vehicle, which can be
ordered this month through Chrysler Group’s fleet
operations.
Chrysler
Chrysler was the only laggard amongst the four members
of the Chrysler Group brand portfolio, its sales slipped
4 percent year-on-year during August. The brand's
biggest volume seller, the Town & Country minivan,
posted a sales increase of 26 percent in August
continuing the year-over-year sales increases it has
posted during each month this year. Chrysler Group also
hit a significant milestone during August: the company
that invented the minivan 27 years ago sold its thirteen
millionth minivan worldwide. The very first minivan
rolled off the line at Windsor Assembly Plant in
Windsor, Ontario, on November 2, 1983. The current
platform is the fifth generation, and is sold in more
than 80 countries worldwide. Combined, Chrysler's Town &
Country and Dodge's Grand Caravan remain the leaders in
the segment. The Sebring sedan and convertible sales
were up a combined 79 percent versus the same month last
year during August while the flagship 300 series lost
almost a third of its sales and the outgoing PT Cruiser
was down 74 percent.
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Chrysler Group
U.S. Sales: August 2010 |
|
|
Month Sales |
Vol % |
Sales CYTD |
Vol % |
|
Model |
Curr Yr |
Pr
Yr |
Change |
Curr Yr |
Pr
Yr |
Change |
|
Sebring |
4,498 |
2,514 |
79% |
28,955 |
15,980 |
81% |
|
300 |
2,991 |
4,320 |
-31% |
26,150 |
25,911 |
1% |
|
Crossfire |
0 |
17 |
-100% |
0 |
372 |
-100% |
|
PT Cruiser |
976 |
3,819 |
-74% |
7,128 |
16,502 |
-57% |
|
Aspen |
0 |
344 |
-100% |
30 |
5,709 |
-99% |
|
Pacifica |
0 |
75 |
-100% |
0 |
1,910 |
-100% |
|
Town & Country |
9,472 |
7,530 |
26% |
78,492 |
58,104 |
35% |
|
CHRYSLER BRAND |
17,937 |
18,619 |
-4% |
140,755 |
124,488 |
13% |
|
Compass |
1,909 |
1,426 |
34% |
13,219 |
9,924 |
33% |
|
Patriot |
4,143 |
2,637 |
57% |
24,827 |
24,219 |
3% |
|
Wrangler |
7,666 |
5,613 |
37% |
63,858 |
59,043 |
8% |
|
Liberty |
5,247 |
3,359 |
56% |
32,324 |
29,938 |
8% |
|
Grand Cherokee |
6,393 |
7,679 |
-17% |
37,262 |
34,289 |
9% |
|
Commander |
348 |
1,327 |
-74% |
7,453 |
7,352 |
1% |
|
JEEP BRAND |
25,706 |
22,041 |
17% |
178,943 |
164,765 |
9% |
|
Caliber |
5,347 |
4,039 |
32% |
31,832 |
29,160 |
9% |
|
Avenger |
4,582 |
4,118 |
11% |
36,680 |
24,472 |
50% |
|
Charger |
6,586 |
6,479 |
2% |
58,391 |
38,603 |
51% |
|
Challenger |
3,283 |
1,132 |
190% |
24,644 |
17,100 |
44% |
|
Viper |
54 |
19 |
184% |
264 |
348 |
-24% |
|
Magnum |
0 |
0 |
0% |
0 |
113 |
-100% |
|
Journey |
3,756 |
4,739 |
-21% |
34,157 |
34,853 |
-2% |
|
Caravan |
9,219 |
10,648 |
-13% |
66,897 |
60,800 |
10% |
|
Nitro |
2,505 |
1,510 |
66% |
13,801 |
12,510 |
10% |
|
Durango |
32 |
194 |
-84% |
78 |
3,254 |
-98% |
|
DODGE BRAND |
35,364 |
32,878 |
8% |
266,744 |
221,213 |
21% |
|
Dakota |
1,583 |
1,022 |
55% |
9,450 |
8,495 |
11% |
|
Ram (pick-up) |
18,995 |
17,514 |
8% |
124,002 |
129,753 |
-4% |
|
Sprinter |
26 |
1,148 |
-98% |
246 |
4,605 |
-95% |
|
RAM BRAND |
20,604 |
19,684 |
5% |
133,698 |
142,853 |
-6% |
|
TOTAL DODGE |
55,968 |
52,562 |
6% |
400,442 |
364,066 |
10% |
|
|
|
|
|
TOTAL CHRYSLER GROUP LLC |
99,611 |
93,222 |
7% |
720,140 |
653,319 |
10% |
|
|
|
|
|
TOTAL CAR |
27,341 |
22,638 |
21% |
206,916 |
152,061 |
36% |
|
TOTAL TRUCK |
72,270 |
70,584 |
2% |
513,224 |
501,258 |
2% |
|
Selling Days |
25 |
26 |
|
203 |
20 |
|
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