The Auto Channel
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
Official Website of the New Car Buyer

Chrysler Reports April 2010 U.S. Sales Increase of 25 Percent


PHOTO (select to view enlarged photo)

• Increasing consumer confidence in Chrysler Group LLC propels the company to its best year-over-year percentage sales improvement since July 2005

• Steady month-over-month improvement in 2010 continues with strong April sales results

• Chrysler Brand sales increased 61 percent compared with the same time last year

• Dodge Brand sales are up 61 percent versus April 2009

• Dodge Challenger sets monthly sales record

• April's 'Minivan Event' drives sales of the Chrysler Town & Country (up 80 percent) and Dodge Grand Caravan (up 56 percent), minivan sales up a combined 68 percent


AUBURN HILLS, MI - May 3, 2010: Chrysler Group LLC today reported a U.S. sales increase of 25 percent, the best year-over-year percentage sales improvement for the company in almost five years. In addition, the company continued its trend of month-over-month sales increases in 2010, up 3 percent versus March 2010.

"April was a very positive month for Chrysler Group, with concrete results that highlight the company is on-track and gaining momentum," said Fred Diaz, President and Chief Executive Officer - Ram Truck Brand and Lead Executive for the Sales Organization. "Today we reported sales increased 25 percent compared with April 2009, building on the news from April 21 that the company posted an operating profit of $143 million for the first quarter 2010."

Chrysler Group LLC reported total U.S. sales for April of 95,703 units, an increase of 25 percent versus April 2009 (76,682 units). Sales increased 3 percent compared with March 2010 (92,623 units). Chrysler Group finished the month with a 53-day supply of inventory (196,614 units), a 42 percent decline versus April 2009 (336,913 units). Overall, U.S. industry sales figures for April are projected at an estimated 11.5 SAAR.

"We are proud of our Chrysler, Jeep®, Dodge and Ram truck dealers, who supported the new company from day one," added Diaz. "They are as excited about our future as we are, and their enthusiasm is spreading to consumers, resulting in increasing showroom traffic and sales."

April U.S. Sales Highlights
-- Dodge Brand sales (38,795 units) were up 61 percent compared with April 2009 (24,070 units)

-- Dodge Challenger sales (3,713 units) increased 42 percent versus last year (2,619 units) and set a new monthly sales record for the Dodge Challenger

-- Dodge Grand Caravan sales (10,435 units) improved 56 percent compared with the same time period last year (6,687 units)

-- Dodge Avenger sales increased by triple digit percentages versus April 2009

-- Dodge Charger sales increase 90 percent compared with the same time period last year

-- Dodge Caliber sales (3,671 units) were up 44 percent compared with last year

-- Dodge Nitro increased sales (1,536 units) 14 percent versus the same time period last year

-- Chrysler Brand sales (22,386 units) increased 61 percent versus April 2009 (13,874 units)

-- Chrysler Sebring (sedan and convertible) both posted triple digit percentage increases compared with April 2009

-- Chrysler 300 sales (4,127 units) were up 40 percent versus last year (2,946 units)

-- Chrysler Town & Country minivan sales (13,367 units) improved 80 percent compared with April 2009 (7,443 units)

-- Jeep Compass sales (1,443 units) were up triple digits versus April 2009 (712 units)

-- Jeep Patriot sales (2,404 units) improved 21 percent compared with last year (1,983 units)

-- Jeep Liberty (3,490 units) sales increase six percent versus April 2009

-- Dodge Dakota improved sales 36 percent versus April 2009

-- Dodge Ram Heavy Duty pickup truck sales improved 13 percent compared with April 2009

"With competitively priced vehicles that customers want to purchase, the company was able to reduce incentive spending compared with last year, while posting improved sales," said Diaz. "But we aren't resting on this month's results. We are hungry to continue building on the sales improvements - we are just getting started."

Incentives
April incentives are valid through today, May incentives will be announced Tuesday, May 4.

  

  Sales Chart

                Chrysler Group LLC U.S. Sales Summary Thru April 2010
                -----------------------------------------------------
                  Month Sales           Vol%       Sales CYTD         Vol %
       Model       Curr Yr     Pr Yr   Change    Curr Yr     Pr Yr   Change
       -----       -------     -----   ------    -------     -----   ------
  Sebring         4,053     1,320      207%    14,589      6,956     110%
  300             4,127     2,946       40%    14,066     12,703      11%
  Crossfire           0        32     -100%         0        177    -100%
  PT Cruiser        838     1,414      -41%     2,904      6,212     -53%
  Aspen               1       550     -100%        28      3,806     -99%
  Pacifica            0       169     -100%         0      1,139    -100%
  Town & Country 13,367     7,443       80%    37,947     28,587      33%
    CHRYSLER 
     BRAND       22,386    13,874       61%    69,534     59,580      17%
     -----       ------    ------      ---     ------     ------     ---
  Compass         1,443       712      103%     6,376      3,859      65%
  Patriot         2,404     1,983       21%    10,040      8,386      20%
  Wrangler        8,327     9,336      -11%    27,592     34,786     -21%
  Liberty         3,490     3,301        6%    14,214     15,275      -7%
  Grand Cherokee  3,393     3,600       -6%    19,304     15,987      21%
  Commander         588       738      -20%     5,566      3,923      42%
    JEEP BRAND   19,645    19,670        0%    83,092     82,216       1%
    ----------   ------    ------      ---     ------     ------     ---
  Caliber         3,671     2,544       44%    11,372     10,778       6%
  Avenger         6,000     1,365      340%    15,669      9,918      58%
  Charger         8,944     4,703       90%    27,652     21,890      26%
  Challenger      3,713     2,619       42%    10,752     11,018      -2%
  Viper              19        29      -34%        87        245     -64%
  Magnum              0         5     -100%         0         77    -100%
  Journey         4,475     4,436        1%    18,046     18,130       0%
  Caravan        10,435     6,687       56%    31,872     30,267       5%
  Nitro           1,536     1,351       14%     5,745      6,569     -13%
  Durango             2       331      -99%        34      1,862     -98%
    DODGE BRAND  38,795    24,070       61%   121,229    110,754       9%
    ------------ ------    ------      ---    -------    -------     ---
  Dakota          1,192       878       36%     4,186      5,235     -20%
  Ram P/U        13,665    17,903      -24%    51,707     64,522     -20%
  Sprinter           20       287      -93%       170      1,583     -89%
    RAM BRAND    14,877    19,068      -22%    56,063     71,340     -21%
    ---------    ------    ------      ---     ------     ------     ---
    TOTAL DODGE  53,672    43,138       24%   177,292    182,094      -3%
    -----------  ------    ------      ---    -------    -------     ---
    TOTAL CHRYSLER    
     GROUP LLC   95,703    76,682       25%   329,918    323,890       2%

       TOTAL CAR 30,527    15,563       96%    94,187     73,764      28%
       TOTAL 
        TRUCK    65,176    61,119        7%   235,731    250,126      -6%
  Selling Days       26        26                 100        101
  ------------      ---       ---                 ---        ---