There has been better news for Chrysler in Canada where year-on-year sales dropped by 7.3 percent to 15,857 units during September compared with the same month last year, with a sharp fall in demand for trucks counterbalanced by an increase of 60 percent by Chrysler brand cars and six percent by Dodge brand cars. The Chrysler 300/300C recorded sales of 436 units for an increase of 95 per cent over last year and the Dodge Charger was up 97 per cent with sales of 729 units.

This performance also adds up to an increase of 10 percent compared with the month of August. Two Chrysler Canada vehicles, the Dodge Ram Pickup and the Dodge Grand Caravan, made the list of Canada's Top 10 best-selling nameplates.

"You can't sell off of an empty wagon - we were finally able to replenish our depleted vehicle inventory levels, and it showed in our September results," said Reid Bigland, President and CEO - Chrysler Canada. "Sales were exceptionally strong in September of our recently-awarded J.D. Power 'Most Dependable' minivans as well as the Dodge Ram 1500, this year's recipient of the AJAC 'Best New Pickup Truck' award."

The Dodge brand posted September sales of 11,481 units, the brand's highest level of 2009. The Dodge Ram pickup recorded the best September results in its history, with sales of 3,934 units. Light duty Dodge Ram pickup sales grew 41 percent in September, to 3,363 units compared with 2,392 in September last year. Dodge Grand Caravan results were also positive, with 3,652 units sold representing an increase of six per cent over the same month in 2008.

In September Jeep recorded sales of 2,963 units, an increase of 35 per cent compared with August. Contributing to this strong were sales of the Jeep Liberty (up 123 percent over last month), the iconic Jeep Wrangler (up 49 percent), Jeep Grand Cherokee (up 12 percent), Jeep Compass (up 17 percent) and Jeep Patriot (up six percent).

Based on the results of the program in September, Chrysler Canada's Dare to Compare incentive will continue in October. "Our strong September results indicate that thousands of Canadians already 'dared to compare' other products to our Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge vehicles, and picked us as 'the leader of the pack,'" said Dave Buckingham, Vice President of Sales, Chrysler Canada. "During the month of October, our dealers have upped the ante - inviting over 800,000 of our loyal customers back to their showrooms for a special event to stack up our Dodge Ram, Dodge Grand Caravan, and Dodge Journey against the competition."

In October, Chrysler Canada is further separating itself from the competition with up to $1,000 in Dare to Compare bonus cash plus zero per cent purchase financing for up to 60 months on Canada's best-selling minivan, best-selling crossover, and most-awarded 2009 pickup truck. Canada's best-selling minivan, the 2009 Dodge Grand Caravan, is available with a V6 engine, air conditioning, seven-passenger seating, anti-lock brake system (ABS), Electronic Stability Program (ESP), side-curtain air bags, third-row Stow 'n Go, second-row storage tubs, Power Equipment Group and much more for an unprecedented $19,499 plus zero per cent purchase financing for 36 months. This offer is arguably Canada's best value vehicle feature-for-feature.

The all-new 2009 Dodge Journey is Canada's best-selling crossover vehicle. In October, customers can get behind the wheel of a Dodge Journey with an array of standard safety and convenience features for $17,995 plus zero per cent purchase financing for 36 months. These features include a 2.4-litre 173-horsepower 16-valve DOHC four-cylinder engine with variable-valve timing, ABS, ESP, side-curtain air bags, Power Equipment Group, and more.

Canada's most-awarded 2009 pickup truck, the 2009 Dodge Ram 1500, is available as a Quad Cab SLT 4x4 model for only $29,998 plus zero per cent purchase financing for 60 months. The Dodge Ram offers the 5.7-litre 390-horsepower HEMI V8 engine with fuel-saving Multi-displacement System (MDS), five-speed automatic transmission, air conditioning, 17-inch aluminum wheels, four-wheel disc brakes with ABS and ESP, side-curtain air bags, trailer-sway control, SIRIUS satellite radio, Power Equipment Group, and segment-exclusive coil-spring five-link rear suspension. Dare to Compare is in addition to Chrysler Canada's recently-announced Cash for Clunkers initiative in partnership with the federal government's Retire Your Ride program.