Chrysler Group Reports May 2006 Sales Decline 14 Percent
* Dodge Caliber Sales Surge 15 Percent Over April 2006 Results
*
Dodge Charger Sales Improve 15 Percent Over Last Month; Sales Rise 459
Percent Year-over-year
* Minivan Sales Keep Pace with Previous Year Results
* Jeep(R) Grand Cherokee Diesel is Announced with First Quarter 2007
Availability
* Jeep Commander Sales Show Continued Strength; Sales Rise 20
Percent Over Prior Month Results
AUBURN HILLS, Mich., June 1 -- Chrysler Group reported that U.S. sales for May 2006 declined 14 percent to 191,261 units compared to sales of 214,575 units in May 2005. Sales are reported on a day- rate adjusted basis unless otherwise indicated.
"Industry sales were soft in May and Chrysler Group sales displayed similar results," said Gary Dilts, Chrysler Group Senior Vice President - Sales. "However, our newest model, the Dodge Caliber is proving to be a strong performer against a weak month for the industry. It clearly has a strong appeal with customers."
In the face of declining consumer confidence, rising interest rates and high fuel prices, Chrysler Group is responding to customer concerns with powertrain options that deliver high fuel economy, power with improved fuel efficiency and alternative fuel choices.
"The company is launching new products this year, led by the Dodge Caliber and followed by the Jeep Compass, that are powered by a new family of 4 cylinder engines that provide high fuel economy. And, the HEMI(R) engine MDS seamlessly alternates between smooth, high-fuel-economy four-cylinder mode when less power is needed, and delivers up to 20 percent improvement in fuel economy," said Dilts.
Chrysler Group is also a leader in diesel engine technology, delivering vehicles with diesel engines that can achieve up to 30 percent better fuel economy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 20 percent.
Customer response to the all-new Dodge Caliber continues to be robust, with May 2006 sales of 12,422 units surpassing April sales of 11,236 units by 15 percent. Days supply for the Dodge Caliber is 13 days.
Sales of the Dodge Charger increased 15 percent over April 2006 sales to 10,725 units. Sales rose 459 percent over May 2005 sales of 1,841 units, the first month the vehicle was available to customers.
Chrysler Group's industry-leading Dodge Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country minivans with the exclusive Stow 'n Go(TM) seating and storage system, posted a solid month of sales at 40,011 units, a decline of 2 percent over May 2005 sales of 39,309 when adjusted for selling days. Sales rose 2 percent on an unadjusted basis.
Jeep(R) Commander, the first Jeep with 7-passenger seating, posted a sales increase of 20 percent to 6,138 units over April 2006 sales of 5,301 units.
In 2006, the Jeep brand will continue to expand with the addition of a new Jeep Wrangler, Jeep Compass and Jeep Patriot models.
The Jeep Grand Cherokee nameplate broadens its appeal with the addition of the 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee diesel, the first diesel-powered full-size sport utility vehicle in the U.S. The Jeep Grand Cherokee diesel is powered by a 3.0-liter CRD engine which provides up to a 30 percent improvement in fuel economy.
The 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee with the 3.0-liter CRD engine will be available on the Laredo, Limited and Overland models beginning in the first quarter of 2007.
"Our 0 percent for 60 months financing program addresses the rising interest rates affecting most consumers, and the launch of products like the Dodge Caliber and Jeep Compass address higher fuel prices that are influencing customer car choices," said Dilts. "As the economy evolves and consumer confidence improves during the second half of this year, we will have up to 10 new products in the market for customers to choose from."
Chrysler Group finished the month with 592,486 units of inventory, or a 77-day supply.
DaimlerChrysler Corporation U.S. Sales Summary Thru May 2006
Month Sales DR % Vol %
Model Curr Yr Pr Yr Change Change
Sebring 6,968 10,200 -34% -32%
Concorde 0 7 -100% -100%
300 11,859 12,978 -12% -9%
Crossfire 754 1,744 -58% -57%
PT Cruiser 12,056 12,312 -6% -2%
Pacifica 6,717 7,261 -11% -7%
Town & Country 17,326 17,194 -3% 1%
CHRYSLER BRAND 55,680 61,696 -13% -10%
Wrangler 5,754 8,543 -35% -33%
Liberty 12,603 13,686 -12% -8%
Grand Cherokee 11,110 18,040 -41% -38%
Commander 6,138 0 0% 0%
JEEP BRAND 35,605 40,269 -15% -12%
Neon 1,553 11,263 -87% -86%
Caliber 12,422 0 0% 0%
Stratus 6,188 11,137 -47% -44%
Intrepid 13 NA NA
Charger 10,725 1,841 459% 483%
Viper 127 146 -16% -13%
Magnum 2,563 5,035 -51% -49%
Dakota 6,749 11,840 -45% -43%
Ram P/U 29,599 38,051 -25% -22%
Caravan 22,685 22,115 -2% 3%
Durango 5,353 9,367 -45% -43%
Ram Van/Wagon 0 3 -100% -100%
Sprinter Van 2,012 1,799 7% 12%
DODGE BRAND 99,976 112,610 -15% -11%
TOTAL CHRYSLER GROUP 191,261 214,575 -14% -11%
TOTAL CG CAR 51,968 52,602 -5% -1%
TOTAL CG TRUCK 139,293 161,973 -17% -14%
Selling Days 25 24
Sales CYTD DR % Vol %
Model Curr Yr Pr Yr Change Change
Sebring 41,340 43,461 -5% -5%
Concorde 0 210 -100% -100%
300 63,995 62,067 3% 3%
Crossfire 4,857 6,124 -21% -21%
PT Cruiser 55,460 53,821 3% 3%
Pacifica 35,952 34,757 3% 3%
Town & Country 68,943 78,350 -12% -12%
CHRYSLER BRAND 270,547 278,790 -3% -3%
Wrangler 29,591 32,114 -8% -8%
Liberty 57,951 68,824 -16% -16%
Grand Cherokee 62,183 83,590 -26% -26%
Commander 30,716 0 0% 0%
JEEP BRAND 180,441 184,528 -2% -2%
Neon 15,533 52,134 -70% -70%
Caliber 31,596 0 0% 0%
Stratus 47,786 49,479 -3% -3%
Intrepid 0 298 -100% -100%
Charger 49,295 1,841 2578% 2578%
Viper 637 630 1% 1%
Magnum 19,732 26,543 -26% -26%
Dakota 33,377 47,505 -30% -30%
Ram P/U 150,799 163,094 -8% -8%
Caravan 103,876 103,811 0% 0%
Durango 31,505 52,469 -40% -40%
Ram Van/Wagon 0 324 -100% -100%
Sprinter Van 8,476 6,407 32% 32%
DODGE BRAND 492,612 504,535 -2% -2%
TOTAL CHRYSLER GROUP 943,600 967,853 -3% -3%
TOTAL CG CAR 260,788 225,389 16% 16%
TOTAL CG TRUCK 682,812 742,464 -8% -8%
Selling Days 126 126
