The Chrysler Group division of DaimlerChrysler AG, the maker of Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep vehicles, recently reported a 5 percent decrease in its March 2007 sales compared to March 2006 sales output.
Although overall total sales were down 5 percent, the company’s Jeep brand successfully increased its March 2007 sales by as much as 4 percent with a total of 45,335 individual units sold. Jeep Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited demonstrated their reign as the most popular Jeep brand with sales up 64 percent compared to March 2006. Dealers sold 13,397 units of Jeep Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited in March 2007, contributing significantly to total sales of the Jeep brand. According to the Chrysler Group, “March 2007 marks the best month in Jeep Wrangler history.” In addition, the Jeep PS hose-equipped Jeep Compass compact sport utility vehicle (SUV) sold 3,802 units, while the Jeep Patriot concluded the March 2007 sales report with 2,109 units sold.
For Dodge models, the Dodge Nitro, which was newly introduced to the US market in October 2006, ended March 2007 with total sales of 7,532 units, marking its best month to date. The all-new Dodge Avenger sold 9,026 units in March 2007. Other Dodge models have increased sales compared to March 2006 sales. The Dodge Caliber compact car saw sales increase about 32 percent with a total of 8,634 units sold. The Dodge Charger full-size sedan sold 12,707 units in March 2007, a 41 percent sales increase compared to 9,023 units last year. Finally, sales of the Dodge Ram light-duty pick-up truck increased by as much as 15 percent.
Overall, for March 2007, Chrysler Group vehicle inventory was significantly reduced by approximately 107,000 units, or 18 percent, with 499,771 units of inventory compared to March 2006 inventory of 606,734 units.
According to Tom LaSorda, Chairman and CEO of Chrysler Group:
“We continue to deliver on our promise to spend more time with our dealers and make their profitability a priority. A major achievement in the month of March was that our vehicle inventory was reduced by more than 100,000 units compared to the previous year, in – in line with the guidance we gave earlier.”
Meanwhile, for the month of April 2007, Chrysler Group is offering a new marketing incentive called ‘National Minivan Month Con’. Here’s what Michael Manley, Vice President of Chrysler Group Dealer Sales and Operations has to say about ‘National Minivan Month’:
“Combined with a competitive vehicle price, we will be introducing a DVD system at no additional charge for our Chrysler Town & Country, Dodge Caravan and Dodge Grand Caravan minivans.”
“Minivan Month follows a successful ‘National Truck Month’ in which our no-additional-charge HEMI engine upgrade contributed to another 15-percent increase in Dodge Ram pickup truck sales, following two months already strong in 2007.” he added.