Chrysler Group Reports 17th Consecutive Month of Sales Increases

  • Jeep® brand sales lead Chrysler Group performance; Sales rise 16 percent year-over-year
  • Sports Tourer segment sales perform well; Sales increase 6 percent over last year
  • Truck segment sales volume improves; Dodge Ram pickup sales continue as volume leader for the Company
  • 2006 Dodge Ram 1500 goes on sale today; First pickup to offer best-in-class HEMI® power with fuel-saving Multi-Displacement System (MDS)
  • DaimlerChrysler Fund to provide matching funds by Chrysler Group dealers and employees to assist Hurricane Katrina relief efforts
August 31, 2005 , Auburn Hills, Mich. - 

Made possible by the strong foundation of desirable products and competitive value, Chrysler Group today reports its 17th consecutive monthly sales increase. Sales increased 1 percent adjusted (5 percent increase unadjusted) to 187,085 units sold during August 2005. All other sales are reported on an adjusted basis unless otherwise indicated.

"August sales results validate our approach of combining eye-catching, desirable products with a clear, competitive value message," said Gary Dilts, Chrysler Group, Senior Vice President - Sales. "The devastation brought by Hurricane Katrina had some impact on our sales during the final stretch of August. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families in that region as they begin the long process towards rebuilding their lives."

Chrysler Group saw sales strength in several key segments during August, including the Sports Tourer, SUV and Truck segments.

Sport Utility Vehicles
Chrysler Group's SUV segment sales were led by the historic Jeep® brand which posted sales of 40,659 units, an increase of 16 percent over August 2004 sales. Sales were fueled by gains in each of the three nameplates in the Jeep lineup.

Sales of Jeep Grand Cherokee surged 27 percent to 17,931 units compared to August 2004 sales of 13,563 units, while sales of the original SUV descendant, Jeep Wrangler, increased 11 percent to 7,079 units. Previous year sales of the Jeep Wranger totaled 6,123 units. Jeep Liberty posted sales of 15,649 units, an increase of 8 percent year-over-year compared to August 2004 when 13,874 units were sold.

The all-new Jeep Liberty Common Rail Diesel (CRD) posted year-to-date sales of 5,096 units, exceeding full-year sales projections of 5,000 units while delivering 25 percent improved fuel economy for their enthusiastic new owners.

The Jeep lineup of vehicles will expand by one row to accommodate the all-new Jeep Commander, the first Jeep with three rows of seats. Excitement for the Jeep Commander is high as orders for the vehicle exceed 30,000 units. Arriving at dealerships daily, the Jeep Commander is a fully capable Jeep while delivering the refinement expected by customers.

Trucks
Sales in the truck segment for Chrysler Group were led by the Dodge Ram pickup, which posted sales of 38,681 units, an increase of 1 percent year-over-year. Sales for August 2004 totaled 36,677 units. Overall sales for the truck segment increased to 49,427 units sold compared to last year's total of 47,317.

Beginning today, the new 2006 Dodge Ram 1500 pickup is available for sale at Dodge dealerships nationwide. The 2006 Dodge Ram 1500 has been completely re-engineered, and is the first truck to include the availability of the Multi-Displacement System along with best-in-class HEMI® power, which provides up to 20 percent fuel economy improvement. Also included in the enhanced features are an all-new frame and suspension, all-new interior, bold exterior styling and a truckload of value.

Sports Tourer
The Sports Tourer segment was led by sales of the Chrysler Pacifica and the Chrysler PT Cruiser as the Sports Tourer segment saw sales increase 6 percent to 20,142 units compared to August 2004 sales of 18,312 for the segment.

The Chrysler Pacifica posted sales of 6,804 units, an increase of 14 percent over August 2004 sales of 5,747 units.  The Chrysler PT Cruiser improved 12 percent to 9,812 units sold. Previous year sales of the PT Cruiser were 8,407 units.

"Economic indicators are showing stronger signs of improvement, but customers are still looking for a deal on cars and trucks," said Dilts. "We will continue to offer our Employee Pricing Plus program to customers as we aggressively work to sell down 2005 model year inventory. The Employee Pricing Plus program will end on October 3, 2005. This is absolutely the best deal you are going to see this year on Chrysler Group products"

Chrysler Group finished the month with 495,786 units of inventory, or a 69-day supply.

NOTE:  Contributions made by Chrysler Group dealers and employees towards the Hurricane Katrina relief efforts will have their donations matched by the DaimlerChrysler Fund, and that money will proudly be given to the American Red Cross and other local charities to assist in the relief efforts.

 

DaimlerChrysler Corporation U.S. Sales Summary Thru August 2005

 

      Month Sales

DR %

Vol %

      Sales CYTD

DR %

Vol %

Model

Curr Yr

Pr Yr

Change

Change

Curr Yr

Pr Yr

Change

Change

Sebring

5,853

8,035

-30%

-27%

62,427

76,094

-18%

-18%

Concorde

0

221

-100%

-100%

210

3,772

-94%

-94%

300

9,934

12,001

-20%

-17%

94,101

65,709

44%

43%

Crossfire

1,262

1,205

1%

5%

10,276

10,110

2%

2%

PT Cruiser

9,812

8,407

12%

17%

88,437

79,858

11%

11%

Pacifica

6,804

5,747

14%

18%

61,498

51,854

19%

19%

Town & Country

10,614

12,336

-17%

-14%

132,907

95,208

40%

40%

CHRYSLER BRAND

44,279

47,952

-11%

-8%

449,856

382,605

18%

18%

Wrangler

7,079

6,123

11%

16%

59,234

58,155

2%

2%

Liberty

15,649

13,874

8%

13%

118,878

117,361

2%

1%

Grand Cherokee

17,931

13,563

27%

32%

149,796

122,363

23%

22%

JEEP BRAND

40,659

33,560

16%

21%

327,908

297,879

11%

10%

Neon

10,992

9,199

15%

19%

86,988

83,222

5%

5%

Stratus

6,616

4,776

33%

39%

70,918

68,120

5%

4%

Intrepid

 

321

NA

NA

298

7,199

-96%

-96%

Charger

5,222

0

0%

0%

16,912

0

0%

0%

Viper

162

144

8%

13%

1,059

1,279

-17%

-17%

Magnum

4,585

5,410

-19%

-15%

39,795

17,866

124%

123%

Dakota

8,206

9,770

-19%

-16%

77,322

76,651

1%

1%

Ram P/U

38,681

36,677

1%

5%

283,310

295,239

-4%

-4%

Caravan

16,678

18,832

-15%

-11%

166,917

168,483

0%

-1%

Durango

8,465

10,523

-23%

-20%

81,136

92,831

-12%

-13%

Ram Van/Wagon

0

71

-100%

-100%

402

5,988

-93%

-93%

Sprinter Van

2,540

799

206%

218%

12,295

6,189

100%

99%

DODGE BRAND

102,147

96,522

2%

6%

837,352

823,067

2%

2%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TOTAL CHRYSLER GROUP

187,085

178,034

1%

5%

1,615,116

1,503,551

8%

7%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

          TOTAL CG CAR

41,100

37,154

6%

11%

357,897

327,291

10%

9%

          TOTAL CG TRUCK

145,985

140,880

0%

4%

1,257,219

1,176,260

7%

7%

Selling Days

26

25

 

 

204

205

 

 


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