05.11.2010 CHRYSLER GROUP POSTS SHARP RISE IN U.S. SALES FOR OCTOBER

MOPAR FIAT 500 - SEMA SHOW 2010
MOPAR REDLINE DODGE CHARGER - SEMA SHOW 2010
MOPAR JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE OFF ROAD - SEMA SHOW 2010
DODGE DURANGO CITADEL BLACK AND TAN EDITION - SEMA SHOW 2010

This week at the SEMA Show the Chrysler Group's parts and accessory division Mopar has presented an array of one-off showcars including (from top to bottom) the Fiat 500, Dodge Charger RedLine, Jeep Grand Cherokee Off Road Edition and the Dodge Durango Citadel Black & Tan Edition.

The Chrysler Group has reported U.S. sales of 90,137 units for the month just gone, a strong year-on-year increase 37 percent (October 2009: 65,803 units) led out by a 291 percent rise in sales for the Jeep Grand Cherokee.

October represents the seventh consecutive month of year-over-year sales increases. The Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge and Ram Truck brands each posted year-over-year sales increases in October, for the most part the divisions are still reliant on older models, although the figures do come in comparison to a very low month last year.

“Chrysler Group remains on track as our monthly sales continue to improve over last year,” said Fred Diaz, President and Chief Executive Officer – Ram Truck Brand and Lead Executive for U.S. Sales. “Our new Jeep Grand Cherokee created a consumer buzz that generated showroom traffic and sales. Now we’re sparking more consumer excitement as we release images and details about our all-new and significantly-refreshed products arriving in dealerships this quarter.”

In all, Chrysler Group this year is introducing 16 all-new or refreshed 2011 models representing 75 percent of its models. Eleven of the 16 models will be launched before the end of the year. Five of the 16 are already in dealerships. The new 2011 Chrysler 200, which replaces the Sebring, and the new Dodge Durango sport-utility vehicle, are part of this steady parade of vehicle launches scheduled during the remainder of this year. Chrysler Group finished the month with a 74-day supply of inventory (245,739 units). U.S. industry sales figures for October are projected at an estimated 12.4 SAAR.

October 2010 U.S. Sales Highlights by Brand

Jeep

The Jeep Brand posted a 111 percent sales increase compared with the same month a year ago. All Jeep models in production posted a sales gain during October. Sales of the Jeep Grand Cherokee, the brand’s volume leader, increased 291 percent in October compared with a year ago, driven predominately by sales of the all-new 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The all-new 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee was named “SUV of Texas” by the Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA). The automotive industry’s new benchmark, premium SUV also was named “Full-Size SUV of Texas” by this influential panel of automotive journalists. The 2011 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sahara – complete with an all-new interior, body-color hard top, and legendary Jeep capability – took home the “Mid-Size SUV of Texas” crown.

Sales of the iconic Jeep Wrangler increased 49 percent compared with October 2009. Jeep Patriot and Jeep Compass also had a strong October as each model posted triple-digit percentage sales increases. The new 2011 Jeep Patriot, the affordable compact sport-utility vehicle, arrives in dealership showrooms this month with rugged new exterior styling, interior enhancements, and refinements to the suspension and steering systems.

Ram Truck

The Ram Truck Brand posted a 37 percent sales increase in October and swept every category it entered in the Texas Auto Writers Association’s annual “Texas Truck Rodeo” in October. The new 2011 Ram Laramie Longhorn was named “Truck of Texas,” TAWA’s top honor. This year’s event had 57 pickup trucks, SUVs and crossover vehicles entered. The Ram Laramie Longhorn captures the true spirit of Texas and the Southwest which appeals to people all across America. Ram Laramie Longhorn is the most luxurious truck ever produced by the Chrysler Group and is designed for the owner who needs a truck for work or play, but won’t settle for anything but the finest quality and refinement. The Ram Laramie Longhorn also was named “Luxury Truck of Texas.” The 2011 Ram 1500 Outdoorsman Crew Cab was named “Full-Size Truck of Texas” and the Ram 2500 Power Wagon was crowned “Heavy-Duty Truck of Texas.”

Ram pickup truck sales increased 41 percent in October as both light- and heavy-duty pickup truck sales posted double-digit percentage sales increases. Crew Cab and Quad Cab models continue to be the most popular consumer choices. Dodge Dakota sales also were strong last month, up 50 percent compared with October 2009.

Dodge

The Dodge Brand posted a 3 percent sales increase in October. Dodge Caliber posted a triple digit percentage sales increase in October, compared with the same month in 2009. Dodge Challenger, a strong sales performer all year, and Dodge Nitro each posted double-digit sales gains last month. Challenger set a new sales record for the month of October. By the end of this year, Dodge Brand will fill dealer showrooms with a broad array of new or updated Dodge products, including the all-new 2011 Dodge Durango, a three-row sport-utility vehicle; the all-new 2011 Dodge Charger, the brand’s flagship vehicle; the new 2011 Dodge Journey mid-size crossover; the new 2011 Dodge Avenger mid-size sedan, totally overhauled for 2011 with an all-new interior, redesigned exterior and new powertrain lineup; and the new 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan, a minivan with the driving dynamics of a performance sedan. Also due this quarter is Dodge’s ultimate modern American muscle coupe, the Dodge Challenger SRT8 392, which receives a big boost in horsepower and torque with the introduction of the legendary 392-cubic-inch HEMI® V-8 powertrain for the street.

Chrysler

The Chrysler Brand posted a 29 percent sales increase in October, compared with the same month in 2009. The Chrysler Town & Country minivan, the brand’s volume leader, posted a sales increase of 18 percent in October. Town & Country has posted year-over-year sales increases every month this year. Chrysler 300 sales increased 79 percent in October compared with the same month a year ago. The new 2011 Chrysler 200 mid-size sedan, which will replace the Chrysler Sebring, will arrive in dealership showrooms this quarter, as will the new 2011 Town & Country. The new 2011 Chrysler Town & Country minivan offers consumers styling that is fresh and sophisticated, a beautifully-crafted interior, improved driving dynamics, a new powertrain and an abundance of standard safety features and innovative technology.

Chrysler Group U.S. Sales Summary October 2010
        Month Sales Vol %       Sales CYTD Vol %
Model Curr Yr Pr Yr Change Curr Yr Pr Yr Change
Sebring

2,221

2,548

-13%

35,827

19,979

79%

300

5,211

2,914

79%

34,322

32,236

6%

Crossfire

0

0

0%

0

499

-100%

PT Cruiser

656

135

386%

8,519

16,895

-50%

Aspen

0

54

-100%

30

5,906

-99%

Pacifica

0

0

0%

0

1,955

-100%

Town & Country

8,459

7,164

18%

95,952

68,879

39%

CHRYSLER BRAND

16,547

12,815

29%

174,650

146,349

19%

Compass

778

327

138%

15,087

10,352

46%

Patriot

2,931

1,148

155%

31,399

26,744

17%

Wrangler

7,908

5,305

49%

79,531

70,350

13%

Liberty

3,968

2,725

46%

41,157

35,378

16%

Grand Cherokee

12,721

3,256

291%

60,898

43,146

41%

Commander

174

739

-76%

7,954

9,582

-17%

JEEP BRAND

28,480

13,500

111%

236,026

195,552

21%

Caliber

2,777

583

376%

39,526

30,397

30%

Avenger

2,911

4,221

-31%

44,613

31,552

41%

Charger

4,023

4,864

-17%

71,229

50,974

40%

Challenger

3,182

2,398

33%

30,964

21,276

46%

Viper

37

28

32%

350

395

-11%

Magnum

0

0

0%

0

113

-100%

Journey

3,695

3,678

0%

42,050

41,520

1%

Caravan

8,204

9,020

-9%

83,158

73,932

12%

Nitro

2,133

1,426

50%

17,966

15,071

19%

Durango

58

47

23%

183

3,463

-95%

DODGE BRAND

27,020

26,265

3%

330,039

268,693

23%

Dakota

774

515

50%

11,184

9,409

19%

Ram P/U

17,316

12,262

41%

158,205

155,467

2%

Sprinter

0

446

-100%

253

5,849

-96%

RAM BRAND

18,090

13,223

37%

169,642

170,725

-1%

TOTAL DODGE

45,110

39,488

14%

499,681

439,418

14%

     
TOTAL CHRYSLER GROUP LLC

90,137

65,803

37%

910,357

781,319

17%

     
          TOTAL CAR

20,362

17,556

16%

256,831

187,423

37%

          TOTAL TRUCK

69,775

48,247

45%

653,526

593,896

10%

Selling Days

27

28

 

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