- The fuel-efficient Dodge Caliber, Jeep(R) Compass and Jeep Patriot set new compact vehicle April sales record
AUBURN HILLS, Mich., May 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Chrysler LLC today reported total April 2008 sales of 147,751 units, which is 23 percent below the same period last year. Overall sales were most affected by slowing truck and SUV demand and a dramatic cut in daily rental-fleet sales. All sales figures are reported as unadjusted.
"The overall decrease in April sales, particularly of pickup trucks, demonstrates that the auto industry continues to be under pressure from the national economy," Vice Chairman and President Jim Press said. "Despite the economic challenges, and concern about rising fuel prices, we continue to hear from consumers that there is growing interest in vehicles that meet specific needs, such as the Dodge Journey seven-passenger crossover for families and the Dodge and Jeep fuel-efficient compact vehicles for young professionals. Our plan is to continue to focus on meeting customers' needs, and managing our overall inventory to best weather this slowdown."
Chrysler's lineup of compact vehicles continued to connect well with consumers this month. Total compact vehicle sales of the fuel-efficient Dodge Caliber, Jeep Compass and Jeep Patriot, which each achieve 28 miles per gallon or better in highway driving, reached an April record 17,977 units last month, up 16 percent from April 2007.
As the spring "top-down" driving season begins, the Chrysler Sebring Convertible finished the month with 2,827 units compared with April 2007 sales of 1,447 units, a 95 percent sales increase. Also enjoying a positive month was the Dodge Charger with sales of 13,021 units in April, a 29 percent increase over 2007 April sales.
In April, the company launched its largest digital-advertising campaign in Chrysler history for the all-new Dodge Journey, 'If you can dream it, do it.' The Journey, with best-in-class fuel economy (25-mpg hwy, 4-cylinder), delivers a unique combination of versatility and flexibility at less than $20,000. The Journey increased sales to 6,667 units in only its third month on the market.
As a result of the success of its "New Day" packages, Chrysler will continue to offer the popular packages in May. The packages have struck a chord with buyers by combining the company's most sought-after features on a wide range of vehicles at reduced prices.
The Company finished the month with 422,353 units of inventory, or a 74-day supply. As part of a planned reduction in manufacturing and capacity, inventory is down 13 percent compared with April 2007 when it totaled 482,786 units.
Chrysler LLC U.S. Sales Summary Thru April 2008
Month Sales Vol % Sales CYTD Vol %
Model Curr Yr Pr Yr Change Curr Yr Pr Yr Change
Sebring 5,376 7,558 -29% 35,787 28,493 26%
300 5,771 9,136 -37% 30,723 39,512 -22%
Crossfire 193 746 -74% 655 3,027 -78%
PT Cruiser 5,807 7,753 -25% 21,411 33,086 -35%
Aspen 2,135 1,964 9% 10,252 9,208 11%
Pacifica 665 8,583 -92% 3,358 25,015 -87%
Town & Country 10,723 15,701 -32% 45,104 52,572 -14%
CHRYSLER BRAND 30,670 51,441 -40% 147,290 190,913 -23%
Compass 2,804 3,239 -13% 13,204 15,077 -12%
Patriot 6,348 2,904 119% 23,596 5,832 305%
Wrangler 8,699 10,776 -19% 30,513 42,367 -28%
Liberty 6,642 9,543 -30% 29,689 33,906 -12%
Grand Cherokee 6,597 9,536 -31% 29,760 40,392 -26%
Commander 2,643 5,202 -49% 12,291 22,098 -44%
JEEP BRAND 33,733 41,200 -18% 139,053 159,672 -13%
Caliber 8,825 9,306 -5% 40,156 36,512 10%
Avenger 5,666 8,214 -31% 30,912 23,729 30%
Charger 13,021 10,057 29% 40,039 40,980 -2%
Viper 117 47 149% 389 200 95%
Magnum 433 2,389 -82% 5,787 10,814 -46%
Dakota 2,564 4,106 -38% 11,331 19,505 -42%
Ram P/U 24,206 31,503 -23% 93,068 122,816 -24%
Journey 6,667 0 0% 10,049 0 0%
Caravan 14,665 23,095 -37% 47,936 75,984 -37%
Durango 2,568 4,674 -45% 11,826 19,264 -39%
Nitro 3,299 5,637 -41% 18,654 25,334 -26%
Sprinter 1,317 1,208 9% 5,132 3,461 48%
DODGE BRAND 83,348 100,463 -17% 315,279 379,768 -17%
TOTAL CHRYSLER
LLC 147,751 193,104 -23% 601,622 730,353 -18%
TOTAL CAR 39,564 49,054 -19% 185,165 188,565 -2%
TOTAL TRUCK 108,187 144,050 -25% 416,457 541,788 -23%
Selling Days 26 24 102 101
About Chrysler LLC
Chrysler LLC, headquartered in Auburn Hills, Mich., produces Chrysler, Jeep(R), Dodge and Mopar(R) brand vehicles and products. Total sales worldwide in 2007 were 2.68 million vehicles. Sales outside of North America were the highest in a decade with an increase of 15 percent from 2006. The Company's product lineup features some of the world's most recognizable vehicles, including the Chrysler 300, Jeep Wrangler and Dodge Charger.
Chrysler LLC
