Chrysler Group Reports March 2006 U.S. Sales
* Strong Retail Sales of Dodge Caliber, Jeep(R) Commander and Dodge Ram Lift Total Company Performance in March * Dodge Ram Monthly Sales Improve 9 Percent * Jeep Wrangler Sets New Monthly Sales Record; Sales Rise 21 Percent Year-Over-Year * Dodge Caliber Sales Increase 316 Percent over February Sales as Dealers Continue to Receive Shipments * Dodge Sprinter Sales Rise 49 Percent Over Last Year and Establish a New Monthly Sales Record * Chrysler Brand Sets New Quarterly Sales Record
AUBURN HILLS, Mich., April 3 -- Led by strong retail performance and driven by new products such as the Dodge Caliber and Jeep(R) Commander, Chrysler Group reported U.S. sales for March 2006 of 216,412 units, an increase of 2 percent over March 2005 sales of 212,978. Quarterly sales for the Chrysler Group totaled 562,244 units, an increase of 3 percent compared to 2005 first quarter sales of 546,732 units. All sales are being reported as unadjusted since the number of selling days is equal to last year.
"Strong sales of key products like the Dodge Ram pickup, Dodge Caliber, Jeep Commander and Chrysler 300 drove us to outperform the industry in March and the quarter," said Gary Dilts, Chrysler Group Senior Vice President - Sales. "The Dodge Caliber and the success of our LX platform pushed the company's car business up 13 percent, making the Chrysler Group a stronger player in the car market."
Monthly sales for the Dodge brand rose 1 percent to 113,719 units, compared to March 2005 sales of 112,105. Sales of the Dodge Ram improved 9 percent to 38,709 units. Sales totaled 35,531 last year. The all-new Dodge Caliber posted sales of 6,541 units and established its popularity by remaining on dealer's lots an average of 10 days. Sales of the Dodge Sprinter rose 49 percent to a monthly record 2,060 units as the company continues to make significant progress in the commercial vehicle market. March 2005 Dodge Sprinter sales totaled 1,384 units.
Dodge brand quarterly sales of 286,405 units were nearly even with year ago sales of 287,258 units. For the quarter, the industry-leading Dodge Caravan with the exclusive Stow 'n Go seating system posted quarterly sales of 58,624 units, a 2 percent increase over 2005 first quarter sales of 57,665 units.
Chrysler brand first quarter sales totaled a record 162,888 units, an increase of 5 percent over the previous record first quarter 2005 sales of 155,762 units. For the month, Chrysler brand sales declined 2 percent. Chrysler 300 established an all-time quarterly sales record, posting sales of 39,332 units, up 8 percent and eclipsing the previous quarterly record of 37,684 units set during the fourth quarter of 2005. Global sales of the Chrysler 300 surpassed 300,000 units in March 2006, posting sales of 329,991 units.
"The Chrysler brand is leading the way for Chrysler Group's car strategy," said Dilts. "The LX platform is up 38 percent in March, Chrysler 300 is up 8 percent for the quarter to record levels and has sold over 300,000 units globally. The company's car strategy is hitting on all cylinders."
The Jeep brand posted sales of 43,560 for the month, an increase of 8 percent over March 2005 sales of 40,491. Jeep Wrangler posted sales of 8,180 units, an increase of 21 percent over March 2005 sales of 6,748 units. Jeep Commander posted sales of 7,977 units, surpassing last month's sales total of 7,091 units. Jeep Commander recently received the government's highest five- star rating for frontal-impact crash protection from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Quarterly sales for the Jeep brand increased 9 percent to 112,951 units. First quarter 2005 sales were 103,712 units. Jeep Wrangler posted first quarter sales of 17,683 units, an increase of 13 percent over previous year sales of 15,689 units.
"We finished the first quarter with strong momentum, led by the Dodge Caliber, which is getting great reception from dealers and customers," said Dilts. "Most economic indicators are showing a strengthening of the economy and consumers are displaying a desire to purchase new cars and trucks. We are in the right position as we continue our launch of ten all-new products this year."
Chrysler Group finished the month with 606,734 units of inventory, or a 76-day supply.
DaimlerChrysler Corporation U.S. Sales Summary Thru March 2006
Month Sales DR % Vol %
Model Curr Yr Pr Yr Change Change
Sebring 9,706 10,127 -4% -4%
Concorde 0 131 -100% -100%
300 12,901 13,475 -4% -4%
Crossfire 523 1,313 -60% -60%
PT Cruiser 10,224 11,236 -9% -9%
Pacifica 9,781 7,838 25% 25%
Town & Country 15,998 16,262 -2% -2%
CHRYSLER BRAND 59,133 60,382 -2% -2%
Wrangler 8,180 6,748 21% 21%
Liberty 13,219 14,915 -11% -11%
Grand Cherokee 14,184 18,828 -25% -25%
Commander 7,977 0 0% 0%
JEEP BRAND 43,560 40,491 8% 8%
Neon 4,068 8,387 -51% -51%
Caliber 6,541 0 0% 0%
Stratus 10,058 12,311 -18% -18%
Intrepid 194 NA NA
Charger 9,023 0 0% 0%
Viper 147 162 -9% -9%
Magnum 4,898 5,917 -17% -17%
Dakota 8,165 10,791 -24% -24%
Ram P/U 38,709 35,531 9% 9%
Caravan 24,733 24,753 0% 0%
Durango 5,317 12,485 -57% -57%
Ram Van/Wagon 0 190 -100% -100%
Sprinter Van 2,060 1,384 49% 49%
DODGE BRAND 113,719 112,105 1% 1%
TOTAL CHRYSLER GROUP 216,412 212,978 2% 2%
TOTAL CG CAR 54,033 47,652 13% 13%
TOTAL CG TRUCK 162,379 165,326 -2% -2%
Selling Days 27 27
Sales CYTD DR % Vol %
Model Curr Yr Pr Yr Change Change
Sebring 27,104 24,165 12% 12%
Concorde 0 203 -100% -100%
300 39,332 36,252 8% 8%
Crossfire 1,394 3,089 -55% -55%
PT Cruiser 32,526 28,120 16% 16%
Pacifica 23,544 20,084 17% 17%
Town & Country 38,988 43,849 -11% -11%
CHRYSLER BRAND 162,888 155,762 5% 5%
Wrangler 17,683 15,689 13% 13%
Liberty 35,424 40,909 -13% -13%
Grand Cherokee 40,567 47,114 -14% -14%
Commander 19,277 0 0% 0%
JEEP BRAND 112,951 103,712 9% 9%
Neon 11,422 32,035 -64% -64%
Caliber 7,938 0 0% 0%
Stratus 30,666 28,693 7% 7%
Intrepid 0 285 -100% -100%
Charger 28,908 0 0% 0%
Viper 369 341 8% 8%
Magnum 13,357 16,232 -18% -18%
Dakota 19,008 25,130 -24% -24%
Ram P/U 90,386 89,057 1% 1%
Caravan 58,624 57,665 2% 2%
Durango 20,909 34,476 -39% -39%
Ram Van/Wagon 0 321 -100% -100%
Sprinter Van 4,818 3,023 59% 59%
DODGE BRAND 286,405 287,258 0% 0%
TOTAL CHRYSLER GROUP 562,244 546,732 3% 3%
TOTAL CG CAR 150,409 128,539 17% 17%
TOTAL CG TRUCK 411,835 418,193 -2% -2%
Selling Days 75 75
