03.04.2012 CHRYSLER GROUP SEES SALES JUMP BY A THIRD IN MARCH

FIAT 500 SPORT

The Fiat 500 was launched by Chrysler Group last March and after a torrid year on the North American markets it is finally seeing decent sales momentum, and for the second consecutive month this year, the 500 posted a monthly U.S. sales record, with 3,712 units sold in March.

Chrysler Group has today reported U.S. sales of 163,381 units, a 34 percent increase compared with sales in March 2011 (121,730 units), and the group’s best monthly sales in four years. The Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Ram Truck, and Fiat brands each posted sales increases in March versus the same month a year ago.

The Fiat 500 was launched by Chrysler Group last March and after a torrid year on the North American markets it is finally seeing decent sales momentum, and for the second consecutive month this year, the 500 posted a monthly U.S. sales record, with 3,712 units sold in March.

Chrysler Group in fact recorded its 24th-consecutive month of year-over-year sales gains in March and its 10th-consecutive month of sales increases of at least 20 percent. Every Chrysler Group model in production for more than 12 months recorded a year-over-year sales increase in March. Chrysler Group also logged its best first quarter since 2008.

Chrysler Group beat the industry average sales increase for the 13th-consecutive month in March. The Chrysler 200 mid-size sedan, the Dodge Challenger, and the Dodge Journey full-size crossover each set monthly sales records.

“The combination of credit availability, an improving economy, pent-up demand and even high fuel prices encouraging people to acquire newer more fuel-efficient vehicles are all helping to drive industry sales,” said Reid Bigland, President and CEO – Dodge brand and Head of U.S. Sales. “Thanks to these factors we experienced sales strength across the board with our March sales up 34 percent and our first quarter sales up a whopping 39 percent.”

Chrysler Group sedans, minivans, SUVs, and pickup trucks all contributed to the company’s 34 percent sales gain in March. The Chrysler brand’s flagship Chrysler 300 full-size sedan and the  200 each posted year-over-year sales gains in the triple digits.

All five Jeep brand models posted gains, the Chrysler Town & Country and the Dodge Grand Caravan minivans recorded double-digit sales increases, and the Ram pickup truck, even in the face of soaring gas prices across the country, recorded a March sales gain. Ram pickup sales were up 23 percent, the truck’s 23rd-consecutive month of year-over-year sales gains.

Chrysler Group finished the month with a 59-days supply of inventory (346,939 units). U.S. industry sales figures for March are projected at an estimated 14.7 million units Seasonally Adjusted Annual Rate (SAAR).
 

Chrysler Group U.S. Sales March 2012


 
     Month Sales
Vol %
     Sales CYTD
Vol %
Model
Curr Yr
Pr Yr
Change
Curr Yr
Pr Yr
Change
500
3,712
500
New
8,850
500
New
FIAT
3,712
500
New
8,850
500
New
200
14,914
6,750
121%
31,638
9,880
220%
Sebring
0
975
-100%
0
2,327
-100%
300
7,336
2,727
169%
19,966
5,379
271%
PT Cruiser
0
540
-100%
0
1,283
-100%
Town & Country
12,476
9,471
32%
27,734
23,927
16%
CHRYSLER
34,726
20,463
70%
79,338
42,796
85%
Compass
3,987
3,703
8%
9,107
7,393
23%
Patriot
6,879
5,602
23%
15,965
13,207
21%
Wrangler
12,557
8,807
43%
29,772
22,887
30%
Liberty
7,605
5,207
46%
21,799
15,155
44%
Grand Cherokee
14,096
9,836
43%
37,503
26,115
44%
Commander
0
0
0%
0
96
-100%
JEEP
45,124
33,155
36%
114,146
84,853
35%
Caliber
2,242
3,750
-40%
5,238
9,607
-45%
Avenger
9,362
5,954
57%
21,629
11,748
84%
Charger
9,644
8,986
7%
22,505
14,311
57%
Challenger
4,304
3,989
8%
10,524
9,742
8%
Viper
0
12
-100%
20
84
-76%
Journey
7,659
5,323
44%
18,133
14,180
28%
Caravan
13,700
9,560
43%
34,462
27,928
23%
Nitro
575
2,136
-73%
2,665
6,055
-56%
Durango
4,590
4,392
5%
11,046
8,322
33%
DODGE
52,076
44,102
18%
126,222
101,977
24%
Dakota
82
1,612
-95%
376
4,085
-91%
Ram P/U
26,960
21,898
23%
67,464
52,739
28%
Cargo Van
701
0
New
1,655
0
New
RAM
27,743
23,510
18%
69,495
56,824
22%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
TOTAL CHRYSLER GROUP
163,381
121,730
34%
398,051
286,950
39%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
         TOTAL CAR
51,514
33,643
53%
120,370
63,578
89%
         TOTAL TRUCK
111,867
88,087
27%
277,681
223,372
24%

 

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