Chrysler inventories dive to 28 days

Chrysler’s inventories managed to hit the “smallest five” list this month. While Toyota was almost completely cleaned out, with 12 days’ supply (11 with Lexus excluded), Chrysler finished with just 28 days’ inventory across all its brands and 21 days of inventory at its eponymous brand. All the other automakers on the five-lowest list were Japanese. Ford, in contrast, ended the month with 35 days’ supply, and GM ended with 39. These numbers are all far healthier than past numbers (usually around 40 days for the Japanese and over 60 for the Americans), but with production down, Chrysler dealers are having a hard time refilling their lots.

The only non-discontinued Chrysler models to have a high inventory were the Challenger (77 days, but just 3,400 units), Sprinter (49 days, 2,200 units), Wrangler (55 days, 11,900 units), and Ram (47 days, 31,600 units.) Ram has been suffering from a perception of low gas mileage (not borne out by comparisons with the Ford F-series) and a paucity of positive publicity and press.

Vehicles in surprisingly short supply include the PT Cruiser, with just 900 vehicles spread across the country for a mere six days’ supply; the Sebring, with 1,000 units and a ten-day supply; the Avenger, with just 500 units, or a three-day supply; the Compass, 200 units, four days; and Patriot, with 300 units, or three days. These numbers were current as of September 1, and are based on Automotive News’ reports.