Chrysler reports September sales down 42 percent

Chrysler Group increased market share compared with August 2009, but fell 42% compared with September 2008.

The Jeep® Wrangler continued its strong sales trend in September with 6,002 units sold, a 7 percent increase compared with August 2009. Wrangler continues to be tops in market share in the compact sport-utility vehicle (SUV) segment.

Jeep Grand Cherokee sales (5,601 units) increased 23 percent compared with the same time period in 2008.

Dodge Challenger sales (1,778 units) increased 57 percent compared with August 2009, and the Dodge Charger saw increased sales (7,507 units) of 16 percent compared with August 2009.

Mopar U.S. net sales were even compared with August 2009, balancing tough market conditions with the launch of several campaigns. Digital owners’ manuals were announced for all 2010 model-year vehicles, a move that will save 930 tons of paper or 20,000 trees annually. Buyers will receive an owner’s manual on a DVD and a full-color guide on paper.

Chrysler Group LLC reported total U.S. sales of 62,197 units, a decrease of 42 percent compared with September 2008. The company finished the month with 138,456 units in inventory, representing a 56-day supply. Inventory is down 64% versus September 2008 when it totaled 381,365 units. Overall industry sales figures for September are projected to come in at an estimated 9.4 million SAAR.

Peter Fong, Lead Executive for the Sales Organization, said, “Low inventories of popular models at the start of the month hampered Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge sales, however, the company responded with increased production.”

               Chrysler Group LLC U.S. Sales Summary Thru September 2009
               ---------------------------------------------------------
                    Month Sales     Vol %       Sales CYTD        Vol %
   Model         Curr Yr    Pr Yr  Change    Curr Yr     Pr Yr   Change
   -----         -------    -----  ------    -------     -----   ------
Sebring           1,451     5,450    -73%     17,431    61,428    -72%
300               3,411     4,287    -20%     29,322    51,807    -43%
Crossfire           127       113     12%        499     1,566    -68%
PT Cruiser          258     2,410    -89%     16,760    42,345    -60%
Aspen               143     1,313    -89%      5,852    17,681    -67%
Pacifica             45       544    -92%      1,955     5,621    -65%
Town & Country    3,611     9,229    -61%     61,715    95,287    -35%
  CHRYSLER BRAND  9,046    23,346    -61%    133,534   275,735    -52%
  --------------  -----    ------    ---     -------   -------    ---
Compass             101       993    -90%     10,025    22,389    -55%
Patriot           1,377     3,190    -57%     25,596    47,344    -46%
Wrangler          6,002     6,130     -2%     65,045    65,135      0%
Liberty           2,715     4,963    -45%     32,653    54,293    -40%
Grand Cherokee    5,601     4,565     23%     39,890    57,333    -30%
Commander         1,491     1,590     -6%      8,843    22,654    -61%
  JEEP BRAND     17,287    21,431    -19%    182,052   269,148    -32%
  ----------     ------    ------    ---     -------   -------    ---
Caliber             654     6,129    -89%     29,814    74,069    -60%
Avenger           2,859     4,500    -36%     27,331    53,828    -49%
Charger           7,507     8,118     -8%     46,110    80,220    -43%
Challenger        1,778     2,376    -25%     18,878     8,443    124%
Viper                19        86    -78%        367       872    -58%
Magnum                0        35   -100%        113     6,777    -98%
Dakota              399       622    -36%      8,894    21,626    -59%
Ram P/U          13,452    20,812    -35%    143,205   196,058    -27%
Journey           2,989     4,860    -38%     37,842    35,627      6%
Caravan           4,112    11,056    -63%     64,912   102,398    -37%
Durango             162       616    -74%      3,416    17,339    -80%
Nitro             1,135     2,531    -55%     13,645    30,071    -55%
Sprinter            798       831     -4%      5,403    11,308    -52%
  DODGE BRAND    35,864    62,572    -43%    399,930   638,636    -37%
  -----------    ------    ------    ---     -------   -------    --- 

  TOTAL CHRYSLER
   GROUP LLC     62,197   107,349    -42%    715,516 1,183,519    -40%

    TOTAL CAR    17,806    31,099    -43%    169,867   340,101    -50%
    TOTAL TRUCK  44,391    76,250    -42%    545,649   843,418    -35%
    -----------  ------    ------    ---     -------   -------    ---
Selling Days         25        24                229       230
------------         --        --                ---       ---