01.02.2011 CHRYSLER GROUP SEES SALES CLIMB 23 PERCENT YEAR-ON-YEAR DURING JANUARY

JEEP WRANGLER 2011

Jeep brand sales were up 47 percent in January compared with the same month in 2010. All Jeep models currently in production posted a sales increase in January, led by the brand’s flagship Grand Cherokee. Sales of the Grand Cherokee, also the brand’s volume leader, increased 130 percent in January versus a year ago. Sales of the Wrangler (above) were up 32 percent compared with January a year ago.

Chrysler Group today reported U.S. sales of 70,118 units for January, 23 percent and twenty seven thousand units up year-on-year which breaks down as Jeep (+47 percent), Dodge (+22 percent), Ram (+18 percent) and Chrysler (-7 percent).

The entire Jeep product lineup, the Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country minivans, and the Ram pickup truck helped drive the sales increase in January, the tenth consecutive month of year-over-year sales increases.

Of its two key Detroit rivals, GM, the other automaker to go through the bruising Chapter 11 bankruptcy restructuring process in 2009, was level pegging with a 23 percent year-on-year rise in sales last month, while Ford however lagged, up 13.3 percent year-on-year slowed by a sharp cut by more than a quarter in less-profitable sales to rental companies.

“We have set the foundation for a year of sales growth with our 16 all-new or significantly-revamped models for 2011,” said Fred Diaz, President and CEO – Ram Truck Brand and Lead Executive for Chrysler Group U.S. Sales. “We have started the year on a strong note, and we intend to continue gaining sales momentum as our new 2011 models hit dealer showrooms during this first quarter.”

Following their premieres at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit last month the facelifted Chrysler 300 series sedans have begun shipping to dealers while the refreshed Jeep Compass compact SUV has already arrived in brand's dealerships. Chrysler Group’s sixteen new or facelifted models, representing 75 percent of its nameplates, are arriving in dealerships in volume. The new Dodge Durango three-row SUV, spun off the Grand Cherokee, and the facelifted 200 [Sebring] mid-size sedan landed in dealerships in January, as did the new Model Year 2011 Dodge Journey, Dodge Grand Caravan, Dodge Avenger, and Chrysler Town & Country minivan.

The Jeep, Dodge and Ram Truck brands started the year very well, posting double-digit percentage sales increases in January, led by the Jeep brand’s 47 percent sales gain versus a year ago. The Chrysler Town & Country, the nation’s top-selling minivan in 2010, was the only Chrysler product to make a year-on-year gain in January, with a 45 percent sales increase, the brand's other models, which were slowing down ahead of their facelifted replacements arriving, all lost ground. Chrysler Group finished the month with an 89-day supply of inventory (260,533 units). U.S. industry sales figures for January are projected at an estimated 12.8 SAAR.

Chrysler Group U.S. Sales - January 2011
        Month Sales Vol %       Sales CYTD Vol %
Model Curr Yr Pr Yr Change Curr Yr Pr Yr Change
200

765

0

0%

765

0

0%

Sebring

717

3,593

-80%

717

3,593

-80%

300

1,329

1,654

-20%

1,329

1,654

-20%

PT Cruiser

342

641

-47%

342

641

-47%

Aspen

0

24

-100%

0

24

-100%

Town & Country

6,552

4,531

45%

6,552

4,531

45%

CHRYSLER BRAND

9,705

10,443

-7%

9,705

10,443

-7%

Compass

1,423

1,244

14%

1,423

1,244

14%

Patriot

3,452

1,972

75%

3,452

1,972

75%

Wrangler

6,444

4,888

32%

6,444

4,888

32%

Liberty

4,052

2,987

36%

4,052

2,987

36%

Grand Cherokee

7,612

3,311

130%

7,612

3,311

130%

Commander

96

1,313

-93%

96

1,313

-93%

JEEP BRAND

23,079

15,715

47%

23,079

15,715

47%

Caliber

2,412

2,506

-4%

2,412

2,506

-4%

Avenger

2,317

3,134

-26%

2,317

3,134

-26%

Charger

2,062

2,125

-3%

2,062

2,125

-3%

Challenger

2,526

1,683

50%

2,526

1,683

50%

Viper

62

26

138%

62

26

138%

Journey

3,973

4,790

-17%

3,973

4,790

-17%

Caravan

7,813

4,298

82%

7,813

4,298

82%

Nitro

1,950

1,368

43%

1,950

1,368

43%

Durango

1,199

23

5113%

1,199

23

5113%

DODGE BRAND

24,314

19,953

22%

24,314

19,953

22%

Dakota

823

994

-17%

823

994

-17%

Ram P/U

12,197

9,957

22%

12,197

9,957

22%

Sprinter

0

81

-100%

0

81

-100%

RAM BRAND

13,020

11,032

18%

13,020

11,032

18%

TOTAL DODGE

37,334

30,985

20%

37,334

30,985

20%

     
TOTAL CHRYSLER GROUP

70,118

57,143

23%

70,118

57,143

23%

     
          TOTAL CAR

11,425

14,721

-22%

11,425

14,721

-22%

          TOTAL TRUCK

58,693

42,422

38%

58,693

42,422

38%

 

© 2011 Interfuture Media/Italiaspeed