Chrysler Canada reports sales for August

Chrysler Canada today announced sales of 14,432 units for the month of August. That’s a decline of seven percent compared to 15,548 sales in August 2008. The company says volume has risen in each of the last two months, led by sales of the Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler 300 and 300C.

Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country combined for 5,167 sales, the highest number since May 2008 and a 92 percent increase compared to August 2008. The Grand Caravan outsold its nearest minivan competitor by a margin of seven to one, claiming an unprecedented 66 percent of the segment. To meet demand, Chrysler recently announced that it would retain the third shift at the Windsor Assembly Plant.

In addition to the Dodge Grand Caravan gains, Dodge Charger sales increased year-over-year by 66 percent to a total of 463 units. Chrysler brand sales were up 23 percent over the same month in 2008, with total sales of 1,498. Sales of the Chrysler 300 and 300C reached 859 units, up 174 percent compared with August 2008. Chrysler Town & Country sales rose 30 percent to 309 units.

“Momentum has been building at Chrysler Canada throughout the summer,” said Reid Bigland, President and CEO of Chrysler Canada. “With our Windsor minivan plant now operating around the clock and our minivans currently commanding 70 percent segment share, this is great news for prospective customers and bad news for the competition.”

Due primarily to the strength of the Brampton, Ontario-built Chrysler 300/300C and Dodge Charger, Chrysler Canada passenger car sales grew 8 percent over August 2008 to 2,713 units.

“It is great to see that Canadians are supporting the home team,” Bigland said. “Sales of our ‘Made in Canada’ vehicles are up an impressive 94 percent over last year.”