Chrysler Canada has announced sales of 15,958 units for the month of July 2009, an increase of 73 per cent compared with June 2009.  This gain was due in large part to an increase in available product at the dealerships, as well as a renewal of consumer confidence in the company's outlook.  During the same month in 2008, the company sold 17,818 vehicles.

On July 10, Chrysler announced that the third shift will continue at the company's Windsor, Ontario Assembly Plant in response to stronger than expected demand for the Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan minivans.  For the month of July, Chrysler minivan sales rose to 3,311, a gain of 118 per cent over June 2009.

"Given what we have been through, it was a spike-the-ball-in-the-end-zone kind of month" said Reid Bigland, President and CEO - Chrysler Canada. "July marked our highest sales month of the year and a 73 per cent increase over June. The cloud of uncertainty about our future has now lifted, allowing our award-winning products to shine. Month-over-month sales of our Windsor-built minivans increased 118 per cent, and our Brampton-produced Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger, and Dodge Challenger vehicles recorded a 203 per cent jump in sales."

Brand Sales Highlights

Dodge brand sales rose to 10,671 units, an increase of 60 per cent compared with June. Dodge Grand Caravan sales of 3,014 represented an increase of more than 100 per cent over last month, and 2 per cent over July 2008. Dodge Charger rose 39 per cent over the same month last year with sales of 290 units. The Dodge Journey remains Canada's top-selling crossover, growing 41 per cent over July 2008 with sales of 1,553 units.

Chrysler brand sales increased by 58 per cent over July 2008, and more than three hundred per cent over last month's total, to 2,377 units. Significant gains were posted by the Chrysler 300/300C with sales of 573 units, for an increase of 260 per cent over July 2008.

Jeep brand sales increased 43 per cent over June 2009, with total sales of 2,910 units. Jeep Compass sales rose 114 per cent compared with June to 886 units, while Jeep Patriot saw an increase of 93 per cent to 1,255 units.

August Incentive Program

Chrysler Canada continues its successful "We Build Champions" program in August, celebrating Chrysler's product and value leadership position in Canada. "For more than 25 years, Chrysler has been home to Canada's No. 1-selling minivan, the Dodge Grand Caravan," said Dave Buckingham, Vice President of Sales - Chrysler Canada.  "During this time, we have launched an unprecedented number of industry firsts, including the revolutionary Stow 'n Go and Swivel 'n Go seating and storage systems.  For the month of August, we are proud to announce another "first" - the award-winning Dodge Grand Caravan with an incredible array of features, for an exceptional price, and at an unbeatable finance rate."

For the first time in the product's history, Canadians can now purchase a well-equipped Dodge Grand Caravan for under $20,000 and obtain purchase financing as low as zero per cent. This offer includes the V6 engine; air conditioning; automatic transmission; third row Stow 'n Go seating; anti-lock brake system (ABS); Electronic Stability Program (ESP); side curtain air bags and much more.  With up to $7,200 in total discounts - an enhancement of up to $1,700 over July - plus zero per cent financing, it's one of Chrysler Canada's best offers ever.

The Dodge Ram 1500 - AJAC's Best New Pickup of 2009 - is available for only $28,488, representing $7,500 in total discounts, plus zero per cent purchase financing.  For this price, Canadians can get into the country's most powerful light duty pickup truck, equipped with the 5.7-litre 390-horsepower HEMI V8 with fuel-saving Multi-displacement System (MDS); 5-speed automatic transmission; air conditioning; 4-wheel disc brakes with ABS; ESP; side curtain air bags; trailer sway control; segment-exclusive coil-spring, five-link rear suspension; SIRIUS Satellite Radio; and more.

A well-equipped Dodge Journey is now available for only $18,495 plus zero per cent purchase financing. This price includes the fuel-efficient 2.4-litre 173-horsepower 16-valve 4-cylinder engine with variable valve timing; automatic transmission; air conditioning; ABS; ESP; side curtain air bags; in-floor storage; power windows, locks and mirrors; and much more.