Chrysler inventories remain high

Chrysler had the fifth largest inventories of any automaker in December 2008, according to an Automotive News listing. Most vehicles were at 100-140 days’ supply. The good news came in the form of the Sebring, with just 88 days’ supply; Aspen was sold down to 90 days and Durango to 64, with production already stopped.

The Challenger had a surprisingly high 69 days’ supply, with 6,900 floating around, perhaps largely in transit or being showcased by dealers; Viper also showed 68 days’ supply. Dakota, whose sales fell to practically nothing in November, was down to just 71 days’ supply, with 4,600 pickups on the ground. Commander also had a surprisingly low 66 days’ supply, with its sibling, Grand Cherokee, down to 80 days.

Countering these reasonable supplies – which were around the average for some import companies – were over 200 days’ supply for Avenger and Caliber, with 194 days for Patriot and 173 days for Compass. Chrysler apparently planned for gas prices to stay higher for just a little longer; with all the rhetoric about Detroit not supplying fuel efficient cars quickly enough, it is interesting to see the fuel efficient cars not being sold.  

Corporate staples were in high but not insane supply, with 99 days of Caravan, 97 days of Town & Country (both down from November), 107 days of Charger, and 126 days of Ram. 

While Cerberus was quick to cut shifts and factories, falling customer demand has proven to be even quicker. However, inventories are generally lower than they were in the final years of Daimler ownership.