August 2008 Sales: Chrysler LLC

[VenSeattle]

Chrysler LLC Reports August 2008 U.S. Sales
Continues 'Shop 'Til You Drive' Campaign
With Up to 40 Percent Off MSRP
Sept 3rd /PRNewswire/
Link to Press Release

- Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country minivans have strong
sales month, up 7 percent over last year
- Dodge Ram light-duty truck and Jeep® Liberty performance improves
versus July
- Dodge Journey gains momentum; buyers coming out of larger SUVs
- Dodge Charger sales continue to grow
- Up to 40 percent off MSRP available in September

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Sept. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Chrysler LLC today
reported total August 2008 U.S. sales of 110,235 units, down 34 percent
from the same period last year. Total August sales reflect an industry-wide
slowdown, segment shifts and reduced fleet sales. Compared with July 2008,
Chrysler's August sales increased 12 percent supported by enhanced
financing offers, efforts to shift lease-oriented customers to purchasing,
leasing availability from independent financial institutions and better
demand for key vehicles. Although Chrysler Financial is no longer offering
leasing options to Chrysler customers, customers are still able to lease
Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge products through independent financial
institutions and qualify for available discounts.

"The industry is changing rapidly in terms of what vehicles and
features customers want and the leasing and financing options available to
them," Jim Press, Chrysler LLC Vice Chairman and President, said. "To help
consumers, we are offering some of our most popular vehicles at significant
savings. In August, we saw this formula generate new signs of momentum on
vehicles like our Chrysler and Dodge minivans, Dodge Ram light-duty trucks
and Jeep® Liberty. In September, we will continue to offer competitive
values and showcase dynamic new vehicles like the 2009 Dodge Challenger,
and hybrid Dodge Durango and Chrysler Aspen SUVs."

September Incentives

Chrysler's 'Shop 'til You Drive Sales Event' continues through Sept.
30, offering up to 40 percent off MSRP on select vehicles, and zero percent
APR for 72-months on the 2008 Dodge Ram, Dodge Durango, Chrysler Aspen,
Jeep Grand Cherokee and Jeep Commander. Especially strong values are
available on Dodge Ram pickup trucks, with up to $9,000 discounts in select
markets.

In September, customers can continue to take advantage of consumer
bonus cash of $2,000 on select retail purchases when financed through
Chrysler Financial. For those customers who still wish to lease a Chrysler,
Jeep or Dodge vehicle through an independent financial institution, they
can take advantage of Chrysler's Customer Cash Allowance on select vehicles
up to $2,000.

Returning lease customers will receive a Lease Loyalty incentive up to
$750 for use towards the retail purchase of an eligible new Chrysler, Jeep
or Dodge vehicle. The disposition fee, up to $425, will be waived by
Chrysler Financial.

August Sales Highlights

Total Chrysler LLC minivan sales were up 7 percent compared with a year
ago. The Dodge Grand Caravan posted sales of 9,422 units, nearly flat when
compared with August 2007 sales. However, when compared with July 2008,
Grand Caravan sales were up 54 percent. The all-new Chrysler Town & Country
posted increased sales of 10,182 units in August, up 15 percent compared
with August 2007 sales, and up 26 percent when compared with July 2008
sales.

Total Dodge Ram light-duty truck sales have doubled in the last 60
days, (June sales 9,172 units vs. August sales 18,774 units). Although
sales were down 7 percent when compared with August 2007, sales increased
16 percent when compared with July 2008 sales. The 2009 model year Dodge
Ram will begin arriving in Dodge dealerships in September.

The all-new 2008 Dodge Journey continues to gain momentum in the
expanding mid-size crossover segment by capturing more than 35 percent of
its buyers from owners of larger SUVs who are looking for efficiency and
versatility. More than half of all Dodge Journey sales were first-time
customers to the Dodge Brand. Journey posted sales of 4,587 in August, a 33
percent increase when compared with July 2008 sales of 3,449 units.

Chrysler LLC sold 4,654 units of the Jeep Liberty in August, a decrease
of 14 percent when compared with August 2007. However, the vehicle picked
up some momentum in August increasing sales 24 percent when compared with
July 2008 sales.

Sales for the Dodge Charger continue to grow. In August, 8,102 Dodge
Chargers were sold, a 3 percent increase versus 2007 sales, and a 48
percent increase compared with July 2008 sales.

The Company finished the month with 380,560 units of inventory, or a
93-day supply. As part of a planned reduction in manufacturing and
capacity, inventory is down 15 percent compared with August 2007 when it
totaled 446,249 units.

About Chrysler LLC

Chrysler LLC, headquartered in Auburn Hills, Mich., produces Chrysler,
Jeep®, Dodge and Mopar® brand vehicles and products. Total sales
worldwide in 2007 were 2.7 million vehicles. Sales outside of North America
were the highest ever with an increase of 15 percent over 2006. Its product
lineup features some of the world's most recognizable vehicles, including
the Chrysler 300 and Town & Country, Jeep Wrangler and Grand Cherokee and
Dodge Challenger and Ram. The Chrysler Foundation, the company's
philanthropic arm, annually supports hundreds of charitable organizations
in the United States and throughout the world. In 2007, the Foundation gave
approximately $21 million in charitable donations.

Chrysler LLC U.S. Sales Summary Thru August 2008

                                                  Month Sales         Vol %
                    Model                    Curr Yr       Pr Yr     Change
    Sebring                                    4,140       7,659       -46%
    300                                        3,688       9,016       -59%
    Crossfire                                    162         372       -56%
    PT Cruiser                                 3,808      10,938       -65%
    Aspen                                      1,922       3,599       -47%
    Pacifica                                     435       3,228       -87%
    Town & Country                            10,182       8,838        15%
        CHRYSLER BRAND                        24,337      43,650       -44%
    Compass                                    1,602       3,625       -56%
    Patriot                                    4,019       5,081       -21%
    Wrangler                                   6,469       9,464       -32%
    Liberty                                    4,654       5,387       -14%
    Grand Cherokee                             4,736      12,265       -61%
    Commander                                  1,996       5,890       -66%
        JEEP BRAND                            23,476      41,712       -44%
    Caliber                                    4,022       9,320       -57%
    Avenger                                    3,557       5,989       -41%
    Charger                                    8,102       7,846         3%
    Challenger                                 2,077           0         0%
    Viper                                        104           1        N/A
    Magnum                                       148       1,087       -86%
    Dakota                                     1,032       4,620       -78%
    Ram P/U                                   24,974      32,309       -23%
    Journey                                    4,587           0         0%
    Caravan                                    9,422       9,548        -1%
    Durango                                    1,430       3,284       -56%
    Nitro                                      1,991       6,931       -71%
    Sprinter                                     976       1,906       -49%
        DODGE BRAND                           62,422      82,841       -25%

        TOTAL CHRYSLER LLC                   110,235     168,203       -34%

              TOTAL CAR                       26,016      42,308       -39%
              TOTAL TRUCK                     84,219     125,895       -33%
    Selling Days                                  27          27

Sales CYTD        Vol %
                    Model                     Curr Yr        Pr Yr   Change
    Sebring                                    55,978       62,220     -10%
    300                                        47,520       81,020     -41%
    Crossfire                                   1,453        7,789     -81%
    PT Cruiser                                 39,935       71,243     -44%
    Aspen                                      16,368       18,593     -12%
    Pacifica                                    5,077       38,691     -87%
    Town & Country                             86,058       90,453      -5%
        CHRYSLER BRAND                        252,389      370,009     -32%
    Compass                                    21,396       28,421     -25%
    Patriot                                    44,154       23,367      89%
    Wrangler                                   59,005       83,944     -30%
    Liberty                                    49,330       62,035     -20%
    Grand Cherokee                             52,768       82,827     -36%
    Commander                                  21,064       45,615     -54%
        JEEP BRAND                            247,717      326,209     -24%
    Caliber                                    67,940       74,004      -8%
    Avenger                                    49,328       50,830      -3%
    Charger                                    72,102       80,225     -10%
    Challenger                                  6,067            0       0%
    Viper                                         786          324     143%
    Magnum                                      6,742       18,714     -64%
    Dakota                                     21,004       37,188     -44%
    Ram P/U                                   175,246      246,878     -29%
    Journey                                    30,767            0       0%
    Caravan                                    91,342      120,055     -24%
    Durango                                    16,723       34,661     -52%
    Nitro                                      27,540       48,745     -44%
    Sprinter                                   10,477        9,704       8%
        DODGE BRAND                           576,064      722,806     -20%

        TOTAL CHRYSLER LLC                  1,076,170    1,419,024     -24%

              TOTAL CAR                       309,002      386,195     -20%
              TOTAL TRUCK                     767,168    1,032,829     -26%
    Selling Days                                  206          205

[A Horse With No Name]

Brutal...WOW...

[pow]

The only Dodge worth buying near MSRP is the four-cylinder Journey, IMO. It's too bad only the gas-guzzling V6 models can be optioned with some decent equipment. When's the six-speed dual-clutch gearbox coming?

[Satty]

T&C and Charger are up, everything else is down double digits from last year, except the Caravan. The Charger is 52% fleet, the T&C is about 30%. Ouch. Wouldn't Cerebrus save money if they just quit selling cars?

[Chicagoland]

How much longer till they are carved up and sold off? After 40% off, how can they then try to sell supposedly 'newer' products at a profit?

[chevelle454]

Impala out sold all of Chryslers cars combined.

[regfootball]

mother of GOD, this is brutal.

what i have noticed around here though is that the van sales are starting to take off a bit.

i read a review of the CX9 the other day. said it was a great vehicle, but that it had no use as a trip vehicle. not enough room and capacity. when folks get back around to not avoiding vans and get over the crossover thing some, i think the vans will pick up more.....in the meantime they should reskin the shape and redo the interior.

[smk4565]

They're dead. Bad product mix in their lineup, and their products have poor interiors and just aren't competitive. The Chrysler brand was outsold by Kia.

[A Horse With No Name]

T&C and Charger are up, everything else is down double digits from last year, except the Caravan. The Charger is 52% fleet, the T&C is about 30%. Ouch. Wouldn't Cerebrus save money if they just quit selling cars?

Or their reputation and sanity?

Chris

[VenSeattle]

Impala out sold all of Chryslers cars combined.

That fact is painfully funny.

[Intrepidation]

That fact is painfully funny.

I;m laughing my ass off let me tell you. Ha, Ha. and furthermore Ha.

[Oracle of Delphi]

How much longer till they are carved up and sold off? After 40% off, how can they then try to sell supposedly 'newer' products at a profit?

If they do carve it up and sell it off, I would advocate that GM buy Jeep to replace HUMMER, less of a Carbon Footprint, and would allow us to keep our finger in that market.

[VenSeattle]

I;m laughing my ass off let me tell you. Ha, Ha. and furthermore Ha.

Well, maybe if Chrysler LLC were to increase their vehicle fleet sales to the same percentage as the Impala they would sell more cars... oh wait...

[Intrepidation]

Well, maybe if Chrysler LLC were to increase their vehicle fleet sales to the same percentage as the Impala they would sell more cars... oh wait...

You have got to be one of the biggest Chrysler haters on this site.

[SoCalCTS]

Chrysler needs to drop the pretense. It is not a luxury or near luxury brand. They had some good cars in years past. The whole bloated brick car thing is over. The 300C is monstrous. The Neon should come back and maybe some fun cars like the plymouth sundance or dodge omni.

I would like to see chrysler make a comeback. It would be good for America.

[VenSeattle]

You have got to be one of the biggest Chrysler haters on this site.

Waaah!

Good Grief... Don't take it so personally...

Several people on C&G hate Buick and want the brand to die... and this is a GM site too!!!

I have my reasons, which are valid... and they have nothing to do with you or C&G. I felt this way about Chrysler before ever coming here.

[Intrepidation]

Anyway, they are in a world of hurt now, but at least they are showing signs of fixing their problems...I just wonder if it's too late or not.

[VenSeattle]

Anyway, they are in a world of hurt now, but at least they are showing signs of fixing their problems...I just wonder if it's too late or not.

I posted some Chrysler articles just for you and CMG for encouragement...

[Oracle of Delphi]

I blame the US Government for Chrysler's problems, they should have never allowed Chrysler to be sold to Daimler. A merger of equals my ass.

[Intrepidation]

I posted some Chrysler articles just for you and CMG for encouragement...

Aw thanks!

I blame the US Government for Chrysler's problems, they should have never allowed Chrysler to be sold to Daimler. A merger of equals my ass.

I agree 100%. Much of Chrysler's current problems can be blamed on the piss poor product planning/management and extreme cost cutting of Daimler.

[cire]

mother of GOD, this is brutal.

what i have noticed around here though is that the van sales are starting to take off a bit.

i read a review of the CX9 the other day. said it was a great vehicle, but that it had no use as a trip vehicle. not enough room and capacity. when folks get back around to not avoiding vans and get over the crossover thing some, i think the vans will pick up more.....in the meantime they should reskin the shape and redo the interior.

I don't know if a total reskin is needed on the minivans. I am not too enamored of the boxy direction they went with the recent redesign, but that could be toned down quite a bit if the front and rear were restyled. The VW Routan spinoff has the same overall shape, but doesn't appear to be as boxy due to the smoother design of the front and rear of the vehicle. I do agree that the interior needs a major overhaul and upgrade (as do most Chrysler products). The recent remake of the interiors of the Patriot and Compass is a promising sign that Chrysler does know how to make appealing interiors.

[regfootball]

I don't know if a total reskin is needed on the minivans. I am not too enamored of the boxy direction they went with the recent redesign, but that could be toned down quite a bit if the front and rear were restyled. The VW Routan spinoff has the same overall shape, but doesn't appear to be as boxy due to the smoother design of the front and rear of the vehicle. I do agree that the interior needs a major overhaul and upgrade (as do most Chrysler products). The recent remake of the interiors of the Patriot and Compass is a promising sign that Chrysler does know how to make appealing interiors.

if they could merely use the front and rear reskins of the routan that would do the trick i think.

then, redo the interior so it doesn't look like a bus.

Edited September 6, 2008 by regfootball

[Satty]

The Caravan starts at $23k, take ten grand off that, then add incentives(40%?)and you'll probably see a sales jump.

[Lamar]

The Caravan starts at $23k, take ten grand off that, then add incentives(40%?)and you'll probably see a sales jump.

For $7,800, most definitely.

But they usually call that a "going out of business sale." What exactly are you trying to imply?

(EDIT: math)

Edited September 7, 2008 by Lamar

[Satty]

Everything must go! It can be like when the local Office Depot closed, I went in and there were digital cameras missing battery covers for like $20 and display furniture for 30% of the regular price. Might as well start clearing out inventory.

[Lamar]

Shoot, if they did have a fire sale like that, I'd have me a Charger by now.

... maybe.

[A Horse With No Name]

With all of the heritage and history, I would be sad to see them go...but I don't see a Chrysler in my future.

Unless it is a Charger cop car in my rearview mirror.

Chris