Chrysler performed better last month (92,482 units) in year-on-year terms than its Detroit rivals Ford (+13 percent) and GM (+11 percent) but it failed to buck a falling market and its sales slid month-on-month as the mini rally the U.S. new car market saw in May turned negative and the carmaker, 20 percent owned by Fiat Group, slipped well below the 100,000 units a month sales barrier that it finally breached last month for the first time in more than a year. The Japanese carmakers in June were led out by Nissan (+11 percent) with Toyota (+7 percent) and Honda (+6 percent) both recording slower rises while South Korea's Hyundai (+35 percent) continued its strong run of form. The overall market drop by half a million units on the previous month.

Chrysler' total sales during June 2009 amounted to just 68,297 units and with the company at that point locked into bankruptcy restructuring these were all retail sales. Chrysler hasn't broken down the percentage of unprofitable fleet sales mixed into last month's data, so the figures are less meaningful. Generally Chrysler has the highest fleet sales in the U.S. auto industry as it tries to shift a range of ageing and unregarded vehicles.

“This 35 percent increase in year-over-year sales shows that we continue to build on our sales momentum,” said Fred Diaz, President and Chief Executive Officer – Ram Truck Brand and Lead Executive for U.S. Sales, who expressed himself pleased with the result in a statement today. “Consumer buzz is building tremendously with the arrival of our all-new Jeep Grand Cherokee in dealerships now, as well as the continuing accolades for our new Ram Heavy-Duty pickup trucks.”

Chrysler Group finished the month with a 60-day supply of inventory (221,726 units), a 14 percent increase versus June 2009 (195,272 units). The 60-day supply is down from a 71-day supply in June 2009. Overall, U.S. industry sales figures for June are projected at an estimated 11.4 SAAR.

“As we enter the busy summer travel season, all four of our brands – Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge and Ram Truck – enjoyed sales increases during June,” Diaz said. “Our minivan pledge continues to resonate with consumers, as both the Dodge Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country minivans posted significant year-over-year sales increases.”

The new Jeep Grand Cherokee started arriving in dealerships in June and will be available in greater volumes this month. The new Grand Cherokee follows the introduction of the all-new 2010 Ram Heavy-Duty pickup trucks and the all-new 2011 Ram Chassis Cab. Chrysler Group states that later this year it will launch 16 new or refreshed products representing 75 percent of the model lineup.

June U.S. Sales Highlights

Jeep Brand sales (20,731 units) increased 25 percent versus the same time period last year (16,608 units; Jeep Brand sales were up more than 9 percent in the second quarter this year, compared with the second quarter of 2009; Jeep Wrangler sales (8,923 units) improved 86 percent versus June 2009 (4,810 units); Jeep Wrangler just received Edmunds’ Inside Line 2010 Readers’ Most Wanted Award in the “Instant Classic Under $30,000” category; Jeep Compass sales (1,259 units) increased 30 percent compared with June last year (967 units); Dodge Brand sales (36,996 units) were up 67 percent compared with June 2009 (22,180 units); The Dodge brand posted the highest year-over-year sales increase in June of the four brands; Dodge Caravan sales (8,658) were up 49 percent versus June 2009 (5,820 units); Dodge Caliber sales (4,728) increased 34 percent compared with June last year (3,538 units); Dodge Avenger Sedan, Dodge Charger and Dodge Challenger sales each increased by triple digit percentages versus June 2009; Dodge Challenger posted a June sales record (3,086), as well as a record for the second quarter and half year; Dodge Nitro sales (1,591) increased 8 percent compared with June 2009 (1,471) units; Dodge Viper sales increased by triple digits, versus June 2009; Chrysler Brand sales (17,893 units) increased 30 percent compared with June 2009 (13,753 units); Chrysler Town & Country minivan sales (9,595 units) improved 34 percent versus June 2009 (7,178 units; Chrysler Sebring (sedan and convertible) sales (3,978 units) increased 127 percent compared with June 2009 (1,752 units); Chrysler 300 sales (3,304 units) increased 13 percent compared with June 2009 (2,917 units); Ram Brand sales (16,862 units) increased 7 percent versus June 2009 (15,728 units); Ram Pickup sales (15,864 units) were up 10 percent compared with last June (14,478); Ram Heavy Duty pickup truck sales increased 26 percent versus June 2009; and Dodge Dakota sales (983 units) were up 52 percent compared with the same time period last year (645 units).