Chrysler
Group has reported U.S. sales for April of 141,165
units, a 20 percent increase compared with sales in
April 2011 which came in at 117,225 units, and the
group’s best sales in the month of April since 2008. It
also comfortably beat the overall U.S. new car market
for April which was almost flat as well as outperforming
its two Detroit rivals - GM and Ford - which both
recorded year-on-year contractions
The Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Ram, and Fiat brands each
posted sales increases in April compared with the same
month a year ago. In particular the Fiat brand’s 336
percent year-over-year sales gain was the largest
percentage increase of any Chrysler Group brand during
April as sales of the 500 range are now gaining some
traction. Fiat now has the added impetus of the
performance-focused 500 Abarth version which went on
sale last month to join the 500 and 500C in the
showrooms.
Chrysler Group also recorded its 25th-consecutive month
of year-over-year sales gains and its 11th-straight
month of sales increases of at least 20 percent and beat
the industry average sales increase for the
14th-consecutive month.
In doing so, several
Chrysler Group models broke their sales records. The
Fiat 500, facelifted Chrysler 200 mid-size sedan, Dodge
Challenger sports car and Jeep Wrangler SUV each set new
sales records for the month of April. The Dodge Avenger
mid-size sedan, which posted a 47 percent sales gain,
actually set an all-time sales record.
“April was another strong month for Chrysler as our
sales increased 20 percent, we recorded our
25th-consecutive month of year-over-year sales growth
and we reported our strongest quarterly profit in 13
years,” said Reid Bigland, President and CEO – Dodge
Brand and Head of U.S. Sales. “This business is all
about product and the quality and fuel efficiency of our
current vehicle line-up has never been better which is
evident in our results.”
A broad range of Chrysler Group models contributed to
the company’s 20 percent increase in April. The Fiat 500
and the Chrysler 300 full-size sedan each turned in
triple-digit percentage increases, while the Chrysler
200 and Dodge Avenger mid-size sedans each posted
year-over-year increases in the double digits. The Jeep
Wrangler and Grand Cherokee weighed in with the largest
sales gains of the Jeep brand, while the Dodge Grand
Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country minivans each
recorded double-digit increases. The Ram pickup truck
continues to exhibit its sales strength with a 19
percent increase in April.
Chrysler Group finished the month with a 59-days supply
of inventory (344,453 units). U.S. industry sales
figures for April are now projected upwards at an
estimated 14.6 million units Seasonally Adjusted Annual
Rate (SAAR).
The new Dodge Dart compact car is set to give Chrysler
Group some added sales momentum as it heads into the
U.S. showrooms next month. It was named in April to
“Ward’s 10 Best Interiors” list for 2012 and pricing
will start at $15,995 before climbing through five trim
levels. Production of the Dart has begun at Chrysler
Group’s Belvidere Assembly Plant and will begin arriving
in U.S. dealer showrooms in June.
|
Chrysler Group U.S. Sales - April 2012
|
|
Month Sales
|
Vol %
|
Sales CYTD
|
Vol %
|
|
Model
|
Curr Yr
|
Pr Yr
|
Change
|
Curr Yr
|
Pr
Yr
|
Change
|
|
500
|
3,849
|
882
|
New
|
12699
|
1382
|
New
|
|
FIAT BRAND
|
3,849
|
882
|
New
|
12699
|
1382
|
New
|
|
200
|
13,343
|
8,274
|
61%
|
44981
|
18154
|
148%
|
|
300
|
7,763
|
3,263
|
138%
|
27729
|
8642
|
221%
|
|
Town &
Country
|
10,773
|
8,842
|
22%
|
38507
|
32769
|
18%
|
|
CHRYSLER
BRAND
|
31,879
|
20,379
|
56%
|
111217
|
63175
|
76%
|
|
Compass
|
3,616
|
4,050
|
-11%
|
12723
|
11443
|
11%
|
|
Patriot
|
5,261
|
4,636
|
13%
|
21226
|
17843
|
19%
|
|
Wrangler
|
12,184
|
9,051
|
35%
|
41956
|
31938
|
31%
|
|
Liberty
|
5,789
|
4,845
|
19%
|
27588
|
20000
|
38%
|
|
Grand
Cherokee
|
11,834
|
9,802
|
21%
|
49337
|
35917
|
37%
|
|
JEEP BRAND
|
38,684
|
32,384
|
19%
|
152830
|
117237
|
30%
|
|
Caliber
|
1,408
|
3,967
|
-65%
|
6646
|
13574
|
-51%
|
|
Avenger
|
11,147
|
7,577
|
47%
|
32776
|
19325
|
70%
|
|
Charger
|
7,991
|
8,485
|
-6%
|
30496
|
22796
|
34%
|
|
Challenger
|
4,102
|
3,617
|
13%
|
14626
|
13359
|
9%
|
|
Viper
|
0
|
10
|
-100%
|
20
|
94
|
-79%
|
|
Journey
|
5,933
|
4,598
|
29%
|
24066
|
18778
|
28%
|
|
Caravan
|
11,183
|
8,793
|
27%
|
45645
|
36721
|
24%
|
|
Nitro
|
227
|
2,209
|
-90%
|
2892
|
8264
|
-65%
|
|
Durango
|
3,257
|
5,064
|
-36%
|
14303
|
13386
|
7%
|
|
DODGE
BRAND
|
45,248
|
44,320
|
2%
|
171470
|
146297
|
17%
|
|
Dakota
|
39
|
1,580
|
-98%
|
415
|
5665
|
-93%
|
|
Ram P/U
|
21,126
|
17,680
|
19%
|
88590
|
70419
|
26%
|
|
Cargo Van
|
340
|
0
|
New
|
1995
|
0
|
New
|
|
RAM BRAND
|
21,505
|
19,260
|
12%
|
91000
|
76084
|
20%
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TOTAL
CHRYSLER GROUP
|
141,165
|
117,225
|
20%
|
539216
|
404175
|
33%
|
|
TOTAL CAR
|
49,603
|
36,075
|
37%
|
169973
|
99653
|
71%
|
|
TOTAL
TRUCK
|
91,562
|
81,150
|
13%
|
369243
|
304522
|
21%
|
|
|
|
