Chrysler's locally-built minivan range (Chrysler Town & Country 2010 version, top) posted a very strong August in Canada as did the Chrysler 300 sedan range (top of the range 300C 2010 fitted with HEMI V8, bottom). Also announced as a 2010 Model Year yesterday by Chrysler Group was the Sebring sedan (middle).

Chrysler sales dropped 6.9 percent year-on-year in Canada during July after it sold 14,432 vehicles last month compared to 15,548 during the same period a year ago; however this was better than the market's overall fall of 7.9 percent and its performance was fuelled by demand for the Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler 300 and 300C.

August Sales Highlights

Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country combined sales reached 5,167 units, the highest level since May 2008.  This figure represents an increase of 92 per cent compared with August 2008.  Dodge Grand Caravan alone outsold the nearest minivan competitor by a margin of seven to one, and accounted for an unprecedented 66 per cent of the segment.  To meet the ongoing demand, Chrysler recently announced that it would retain the third shift at the Windsor Assembly Plant.

"Momentum has been building at Chrysler Canada throughout the summer," said Reid Bigland, President and CEO, Chrysler Canada. "With our Windsor minivan plant now operating around the clock and our minivans currently commanding 70 per cent segment share, this is great news for prospective customers and bad news for the competition."

In addition to the Dodge Grand Caravan gains, Dodge Charger sales increased year-over-year by 66 per cent to a total of 463 units. Chrysler brand sales posted an increase of 23 per cent over the same month in 2008, with total sales of 1,498.  Sales of the Chrysler 300 and 300C reached 859 units, up 174 per cent compared with August 2008.  Chrysler Town & Country sales rose 30 per cent to 309 units.

Due primarily to the strength of the Brampton Ontario-built Chrysler 300/300C and Dodge Charger, Chrysler Canada passenger car sales grew eight per cent over August 2008 to 2,713 units. “It is great to see that Canadians are supporting the home team," Bigland continued.  "Sales of our 'Made in Canada' vehicles are up an impressive 94 per cent over last year."

September Incentive Program

For the month of September, Chrysler Canada is introducing "Dare to Compare," encouraging Canadians in the market for a new vehicle to put the company's Chrysler, Jeep_® and Dodge products up against all competitors. As the maker of Canada's No. 1 selling minivan, most popular crossover, and most awarded 2009 pickup truck, the company is confident competitive makes won't stack up.  Dare to Compare offers total cash discounts of up to $7,500 plus zero per cent purchase financing for 36 months on virtually all 2009 Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge models.

For example, the 2009 Dodge Grand Caravan is available from $19,999 plus zero per cent purchase financing for 36 months.  This vehicle includes a V6 engine; air conditioning; automatic transmission; seven-passenger seating; anti-lock brake system (ABS); Electronic Stability Program (ESP); side curtain airbags; power windows, locks and mirrors; and much more.

The 2009 Dodge Journey, Canada's most popular crossover, remains the best value in its segment with an array of comfort, safety and convenience features for only $18,495.  Standard equipment includes the fuel-efficient 2.4-litre 173-horsepower 16-valve 4-cylinder engine with variable valve timing; automatic transmission; ABS; ESP; side curtain air bags; power windows, locks and mirrors; and much more. The 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 is available for only $28,499, and is 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.

Dare to Compare is in addition to Chrysler Canada's recently-announced partnership with the federal government’s Retire Your Ride program. Chrysler Canada's Cash for Clunkers program is the country's most aggressive scrappage incentive, with the company offering $500 to $1,500 on top of the government's rewards and all other retail incentives.

"There has been very strong interest in our Cash for Clunkers initiative," said Dave Buckingham, Vice President of Sales, Chrysler Canada. "As the only official partner of Retire Your Ride, it gives consumers the opportunity to do something good for the environment, while rewarding themselves with a great new Chrysler, Jeep, or Dodge product."