Chrysler Group Reports U.S. August 2003 Sales Down 6% Vs August 2002
* Dodge Ram sets all-time August sales record * August is best month to date for all-new Chrysler Pacifica * "Summer Sales Drive" boosts Dodge Caravan, Durango and Jeep(R) Wrangler
AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Sept. 3 -- Chrysler Group reported U.S. sales of 190,388 units in August, a six-percent decline compared to August 2002 when 210,855 vehicles were sold, calculated on a day-rate basis. August 2002 was the second-best August for vehicle sales in the company's history.
Dodge Ram was the volume leader for the company, posting an August sales record of 43,824 units. Ram was up 12 percent over August 2002 when 40,440 were sold. Ram's sales for the 2003 calendar year to date were the highest on record, 302,480 units, eclipsing the 1999 eight-month total of 292,413 units.
"There's no question that the Ram is extremely well received from coast to coast," said Gary Dilts, Senior Vice President - Sales, DaimlerChrysler Corp. "While our competitors in the truck market are busy making predictions about the future, Ram is busy in the marketplace, racking up sales."
Other notable August sales highlights include:
* The all-new Chrysler Pacifica had August sales of 7,436, surpassing July's volume of 6,857 and achieving its best sales month since its introduction earlier this year
* Dodge Caravan recorded sales of 21,194 units, a year-over-year increase of 33 percent (vs. 16,585 units in 2002), and contributed to a 10-percent overall gain across all Chrysler Group minivan lines
* Dodge sold 12,647 Durangos in August, a 21-percent gain over August 2002 when 10,875 units were sold
* Jeep(R) Wrangler sales of 6,797 units were up four percent over August 2002, when 6,794 were sold
"'Summer Sales Drive' gave Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge great visibility and helped our 'Best Values in America' message cut through the clutter," added Dilts. "Our message adds up great products like Dodge Ram and Chrysler Pacifica, with competitive deals and the reassurance of Chrysler Group's seven-year, 70,000-mile powertrain warranty to equal the 'Best Values in America.'
"Looking ahead, consumer confidence and Wall Street indicators are going up while interest rates remain low. We expect the market to remain strong."
Chrysler Group finished the month with 468,643 units of inventory, a 66- day supply.
DaimlerChrysler Corporation U.S. Sales Summary Thru August 2003
Month Sales DR % Sales CYTD DR %
Model Curr Yr Pr Yr Change Curr Yr Pr Yr Change
Sebring 7,107 11,200 -34% 69,762 87,351 -20%
Concorde 1,311 2,461 -45% 23,229 22,275 5%
300M 1,716 3,162 -44% 19,007 22,725 -16%
LHS 0 0 0% 0 552 -100%
Prowler 0 101 -100% 511 1,136 -55%
Crossfire 706 0 1,593 0
CHRYSLER CAR 10,840 16,924 -34% 114,102 134,039 -14%
PT Cruiser 6,745 14,035 -50% 77,629 101,430 -23%
Pacifica 7,436 0 0% 25,763 0 0%
Voyager 1,179 2,922 -58% 12,689 29,604 -57%
Town & Country 9,967 11,011 -6% 90,311 92,391 -2%
CHRYSLER TRUCK 25,327 27,968 -6% 206,392 223,425 -7%
CHRYSLER BRAND 36,167 44,892 -16% 320,494 357,464 -10%
Wrangler 6,797 6,794 4% 46,908 44,484 6%
Liberty 16,352 21,511 -21% 108,296 108,739 0%
Grand Cherokee 20,050 23,298 -11% 128,340 146,763 -12%
JEEP BRAND 43,199 51,603 -13% 283,544 299,986 -5%
CP CAR 10,840 16,924 -34% 114,102 134,644 -15%
CPJ TRUCK 68,526 79,571 -11% 489,936 523,411 -6%
CPJ DIVISION 79,366 96,495 -15% 604,038 658,055 -8%
Neon 9,681 12,849 -22% 83,637 90,094 -7%
Stratus 5,578 10,762 -46% 71,662 77,767 -7%
Intrepid 5,671 5,909 0% 63,430 83,549 -24%
Viper 222 98 135% 1,631 1,072 53%
DODGE CAR 21,152 29,618 -26% 220,360 252,482 -12%
Dakota 9,382 14,659 -34% 78,446 94,910 -17%
Ram P/U 43,824 40,440 12% 302,480 269,395 13%
Caravan 21,194 16,585 33% 172,525 180,288 -4%
Durango 12,647 10,875 21% 78,083 74,972 5%
Ram Van/Wagon 2,612 2,183 24% 17,369 28,360 -38%
Sprinter Van 211 0 0% 731 0 0%
DODGE TRUCK 89,870 84,742 10% 649,634 647,925 1%
DODGE DIVISION 111,022 114,360 1% 869,994 900,407 -3%
TOTAL CAR 31,992 46,542 -29% 334,462 387,126 -13%
TOTAL TRUCK 158,396 164,313 0% 1,139,570 1,171,336 -2%
TOTAL CAR & TRUCK 190,388 210,855 -6% 1,474,032 1,558,462 -5%
Total Minivan 32,340 30,518 10% 275,525 302,283 -8%
Total Sport Utility 55,846 62,478 -7% 361,627 374,958 -3%
Selling Days 27 28 205 206
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