Chrysler posts 36% increase in sales vs. November

Awards and accolades for Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge and Ram vehicles drove customers to dealer showrooms resulting in improved sales and market share in December. Chrysler Group on January 5 reported December sales increased 36 percent compared with November 2009 and 20 of 24 vehicles posted sales increases for the same time period.

Chrysler Group received multiple accolades in December, including Motor Trend’s Truck of the Year award for the all-new 2010 Ram Heavy Duty pickup truck that is arriving in dealer showrooms now. In addition:

• Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon hailed as “Most Significant 4x4 of the Decade” and Jeep Wrangler Rubicon named “Best 4x4 of the Decade” by editors at Four Wheeler Magazine
• Jeep named “Top Domestic Brand” in Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com 2010 Residual Value Study
• 2010 Ram Power Wagon was named Four Wheeler Magazine’s “Pickup Truck of the Year”
• 2010 Ram 1500 was named a “2010 All Star” by Automobile Magazine
• Dodge Challenger was named “Most Satisfying Car” by readers of a prominent consumer magazine
• Jeep Liberty and Dodge Challenger R/T chosen as “Best of 2009” by Gaywheels.com editors
• 2010 Dodge Grand Caravan identified as one of the “Safest Vehicles under $30,000” by NADAguides.com
  

“As we kick off the new year, Chrysler Group continues to build momentum with some of the best products in the marketplace, and we are enthusiastic about the new products coming this year” said Fred Diaz, president and chief executive officer for Ram Brand and lead executive for the sales organization, Chrysler Group LLC. “Our great Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge and Ram products are being recognized by opinion leaders in the industry, and consumers are responding in a positive way. In 2010 the company will continue to earn the trust of consumers with exciting, high-quality vehicles that are priced right.”

Chrysler Group reported total U.S. sales for December of 86,523 units. Sales increased 36 percent month-over-month and declined 4 percent year-over-year. The company finished the year with 931,402 units sold, a decline of 36 percent compared with 2008. Inventory is down 55 percent compared with December 2008, with 178,538 units in inventory, representing a 58-day supply. Overall industry figures for November are projected to come in at an estimated 11.3 million SAAR.

December Brand U.S. Sales Highlights

• Eleven Chrysler Group Vehicles saw year-over-year sales increases in December:
  • Dodge car brand sales increased 25 percent compared with December 2008
  • Dodge Caliber (up 83 percent, 5,389 units), Avenger (up 85 percent, 3,799 units), Charger (up 16 percent, 6,273 units), Journey (up 61 percent, 6,872 units) and Grand Caravan (up 24 percent, 8,563 units) all increased sales compared with December 2008
  • Chrysler 300 (up 20 percent, 4,452 units), Sebring Sedan (up 19 percent, 3,500 units), Sebring Convertible (up 47 percent, 937 units) and Town & Country minivan (up four percent, 8,465 units) increased vs. December 2008
  • Jeep Patriot (up six percent, 2,759 units) and Liberty (up two percent, 4,609 units) sales increased year-over-year
• 20 of 24 Chrysler Group vehicles posted December sales increases vs. November 2009:
  • Jeep brand sales increased 36 percent compared with the previous month
  • Jeep: The entire Jeep lineup posted month-over-month increases. Wrangler, Liberty, Compass, Patriot, Grand Cherokee and Commander improved sales compared with November
  • Chrysler brand sales increased 79 percent compared with November 2009
  • Chrysler Sebring Sedan, Sebring Convertible, 300, PT Cruiser and Town & Country had month-over-month sales increases
  • Dodge car brand sales increased 43 percent compared with November 2009
  • Dodge: Caliber, with an all-new interior for 2010, Avenger, Charger, Challenger, Viper, Journey, Caravan and Nitro posted month-over-month increases
  • Ram Brand sales increased 14 percent and the award-winning Ram pickup sales increased 23 percent vs. November 2009
• In December, overall Mopar U.S. net sales increased 8 percent compared with November 2009. Compared to the same time period last year, service contracts per new unit sold increased nine percent. Last month, in conjunction with the dealership network, Mopar officially opened its eStore for business at www.mopar.com, offering customers more than 100,000 parts and accessories on-line

Sales Chart