Ram, a hard-working truck for hard-working people, and by far the best seller at Chrysler Group.
Chrysler Group LLC today reported U.S. sales of 117,225 vehicles, a 22% increase compared with sales in April 2010 at 95,703 units. It was Chrysler’s best April sales since 2008 before the global financial markets collapsed.
The new 2011 Chrysler 200 and Dodge Avenger midsize sedans helped drive the significant increase in Chrysler Group car sales in April. This was the best month for Chrysler Group midsize sedans since March 2008. Chrysler remains heavily dependent on minivan and truck sales, though, as every Jeep and Ram Truck model experienced a year-over-year sales gain in April.
However, Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Caravan minivan sales were down, -34% and -16% respectively, a worrisome development for those high volume, high profit products whose sales still totaled more than 17,600 units for the month.
“Both our retail car and truck sales were up significantly in April as we continued to build upon our sales growth momentum on the heels of a solid first quarter,” said Fred Diaz, President and CEO – Ram Truck Brand and Lead Executive for U.S. Sales.
Chrysler Group finished the month with a 70-day supply of inventory at 304,168 units.
Jeep Brand
The Jeep brand posted a 65% sales increase in April. All five Jeep brand models contributed to the increase by posting year-over-year sales gains, totaling 32,384 units, +65% compared with the same month last year at 19,645 units.
Ram Truck Brand
The Ram Truck brand posted a 29% sales increase in April at 19,260 trucks compared to 14,877 units the year before. Both light duty and heavy duty pickup trucks, along with chassis cab models, posted double-digit percentage year-over-year sales gains. This was the brand’s 12th consecutive month of year-over-year sales gains in what up to now has been a reviving truck market. The effect of $4 to $5 a gallon gasoline and diesel fuel goring forward is unclear.
Dodge Brand
Dodge brand sales at 44,320 units increased 14% versus the same month last year at 38,795 units, driven in part by sales of the new 2011 Dodge Avenger midsize sedan. The Avenger with its new V6 engine posted a 26% sales increase in April at 7,577 units, compared with the same month a year ago. It also logged a 27% sales increase compared with March 2011.
Chrysler Brand
Chrysler brand sales at 20,379 vehicles were off -9% from 22,386 units in April of 2010. For 2012strating in the third quarter of this year, the Chrysler brand is expanding 300 sedan line by launching three all-new models – the Chrysler 300 SRT8 with its 6.4-liter Hemi V8engine; offers the Chrysler 300S Series; and a 300C Executive Series, said to be the most luxurious Chrysler sedan ever.
