Chrysler Canada #1 in sales

Chrysler has achieved a milestone for the first time in its 84-year history: being the best selling automaker in Canada. Leading sales was the minivan, but the Dodge Journey was also the best seller in its segment. The Dodge Ram and “Belvidere Trio” also turned in a good performance.

Chrysler’s achievement was due largely to maintaining a decent sales rate in a month when key competitors GM, Ford, and Toyota all plunged in sales. GM has had a commanding lead in Canadian sales since 1950, while in recent times Chrysler and Ford have had similar sales numbers, with Toyota and Honda lagging by a good margin, but steadily closing the gap.

Overall, Canadian sales fell by around 30%. GM’s sales dropped 56%, Chrysler 27%, Toyota 25%, and Honda 42%, on a February 2008 to February 2009 basis.