07.01.2011 CHRYSLER GROUP SEES CANADIAN SALES RISE 4 PERCENT YEAR-ON-YEAR DURING DECEMBER

DODGE CARAVAN 2011

Chrysler Canada has posted a 4 percent year-on-year increase for December which means it ends the year with 204,955 sales on that market, a climb of more than a quarter over the previous year. That full year performance, which adds up to an increase of 41,773 units over 2009, meant Chrysler Group was the best performing carmaker in year-on-year terms on the Canadian market.

For the month of December, Chrysler Canada sold 14,407 units, its thirteenth consecutive month of sales growth. Its four percent growth outperformed the overall market which was up just 0.5 percent but lagged behind its two Detroit rivals Ford (+8.6 percent) and GM (+23.4 percent, if its discontinued brands are stripped out).  

“The dramatically improved quality and fuel efficiency of our products paid dividends for Chrysler in 2010 by making us solidly the No. 1 market share gainer in the country," said Reid Bigland, President and CEO of Chrysler Canada. "In addition, we set all-time sales records for our Ram pickup truck, Dodge Journey and Dodge Grand Caravan. In fact during 2010 almost eight out of every 10 minivans sold in Canada belonged to Chrysler Canada." Truck sales were up while car sales were down.

Two Chrysler Canada vehicles made the list of the top five selling vehicles in Canada, and also reported their all-time highest annual sales in 2010. Full-year sales of the Ram pickup reached 53,386 units, up 74 per cent over 2009. For the month of December, Ram sales grew 58 per cent on sales of 4,045 units. The Windsor, Ontario-built Dodge Grand Caravan also recorded an outstanding year with sales for the 12-month period soaring to 55,306 units, up 37 per cent compared with 2009. The Dodge Journey retained its position as Canada's best-selling crossover, with full-year sales of 23,785 units, up 54 per cent over 2009 and the vehicle's highest sales year since launch. 

On the strength of the new Jeep Grand Cherokee, Jeep brand sales increased 24 per cent in 2010. Jeep Grand Cherokee sales rose 26 per cent in December (1,001 units for the month) for a full year total of 7,255 units. Sales of the Jeep Wrangler grew 52 per cent in 2010 on 11,062 units. The Jeep Patriot recorded full-year 2010 sales of 10,753 units, an increase of 34 per cent over 2009.

“2010 proved to be a record year for us in Canada,” said Dave Buckingham, Vice President of Sales - Chrysler Canada. “Now with 14 all-new or significantly refreshed products launching - the bulk of which have four miles-per-gallon fuel economy improvements - we have reason to believe even more records will fall in 2011.”

December Sales

Dec. 2010

Dec. 2009

% Change

 
Total Volume

14,407

13,822

4%

 
         
Model Highlights

Dec. 2010

Dec. 2009

% Change

 

Dodge Grand Caravan

3,914

3,876

1%

 
Ram Pickup

4,045

2,553

58%

Record December Sales
Dodge Journey

1,867

1,826

2%

Record December Sales
Jeep Grand Cherokee

1,001

792

26%

 
         
         
CYTD Sales

Dec. 2010

Dec. 2009

% Change

 
Total Volume

204,955

163,182

26%

 
         
Model Highlights

Dec. 2010

Dec. 2009

% Change

 
Dodge Grand Caravan

55,306

40,283

37%

#3 selling vehicle in Canada YTD
Ram Pickup

53,386

30,621

74%

#4 selling vehicle in Canada YTD
Dodge Journey

23,785

15,390

54%

#1 selling crossover in Canada YTD

© 2011 Interfuture Media/Italiaspeed