Chrysler Group reports U.S. May sales increase of four percent
Auburn Hills, Mich. - Chrysler Group reported U.S. sales of 216,563 units, an increase of four percent compared to last year.
For the second consecutive month, Chrysler Group posted a year-over-year gain, which the automaker attributed to strong retail sales of its Chrysler and Dodge minivans, the new Dodge Ram pickup truck, Chrysler PT Cruiser and Jeep® Liberty.
'May sales were driven by the strength of our products and our dealer body, which aggressively supported our National Minivan Sales Event,' said Gary Dilts, Senior Vice President - Sales, DaimlerChrysler Corporation. 'The National Minivan Sales Event is helping drive customers into our dealerships, while the seven-year Powertrain Pledge on all Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge vehicles demonstrates that Chrysler Group stands behind the quality of its products.'
Chrysler Group dealers sold 51,112 minivans in May, up 21 percent compared to last May. It was the strongest minivan sales month so far this year.
'Our minivans surpassed traditional domestic minivans and Honda in the most recent J.D. Power IQS ranking,' added Dilts. Dodge and Chrysler minivans jumped 25 percent in initial quality in the J.D. Power study, according to results released late last week.
Chrysler Group sales increased across most key vehicle lines last month. Dodge Ram sales totaled 33,657 units for May, up 19 percent, compared to last May.
'This is the best May sales month for Ram in three years,' said Dilts. 'The numbers are heavily influenced by strong retail sales, which for light-duty pickups, often serve as a barometer of the national economy overall.'
Chrysler PT Cruiser sales in May were 13,727 units, a 33 percent gain over the same month in 2001.
'We're beginning to meet the high demand for this vehicle,' said Dilts. 'There's always something new in the PT Cruiser world, and with news of the convertible and turbo models on the way, it's clear that this won't be the last time we're talking about strong PT Cruiser sales.'
The company's success was spread across all brand lines, with the Chrysler brand posting a 10 percent increase from a year ago, with an all-time May sales record of 51,204 (versus 46,752 in 2001). Jeep brand sales were up seven percent to 36,505 units. Dodge division sales of 128,652 were up five percent, compared to last year.
Other sales highlights include:
Chrysler Concorde sales of 3,280 units were up 15 percent over a year ago
Chrysler Sebring sedan sales of 5,650 were up 16 percent over a year ago
Jeep Grand Cherokee sales of 16,700 units were up eight percent from a year ago
Jeep Liberty sales of 13,082 units were up one percent over last month
Dodge Intrepid sales of 13,450 units were up 6 percent compared to last year
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