Chrysler Group LLC reported U.S. sales of 70,118, a 23 percent increase compared with sales in January 2010 (57,143 units). The entire Jeep® product lineup, the Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country minivans, and the Ram pickup truck helped drive the 23 percent sales increase in January, the 10th consecutive month of year-over-year sales increases.
“We have set the foundation for a year of sales growth with our 16 all-new or significantly-revamped models for 2011,” said Fred Diaz, President and CEO – Ram Truck Brand and Lead Executive for U.S. Sales. “We have started the year on a strong note, and we intend to continue gaining sales momentum as our new 2011 models hit dealer showrooms during this first quarter.”
Hot off their exciting premieres at the North American International Auto Show in January, the all-new 2011 Chrysler 300 series sedans have begun shipping to dealers and the new 2011 Jeep Compass compact SUV has already arrived in dealerships.
Chrysler Group’s 16 all-new or significantly-refreshed models, representing 75 percent of its nameplates, are arriving in dealerships in volume. The all-new 2011 Dodge Durango three-row SUV and the new 2011 Chrysler 200 mid-size sedan landed in dealerships in January, as did the new 2011 model year Dodge Journey, Dodge Grand Caravan, Dodge Avenger, and Chrysler Town & Country minivan.
The Jeep, Dodge and Ram Truck brands started the year with a bang, posting double-digit percentage sales increases in January, led by the Jeep brand’s 47 percent sales gain versus a year ago. The Chrysler Town & Country, the original luxury minivan and the nation’s top-selling minivan in 2010, led the Chrysler brand with a 45 percent sales increase in January versus a year ago.
Chrysler Group finished the month with an 89-day supply of inventory (260,533 units). U.S. industry sales figures for January are projected at an estimated 12.8 SAAR.
January 2011 U.S. Sales Highlights by Brand
Jeep® Brand
Jeep brand sales were up 47 percent in January compared with the same month in 2010. All Jeep models currently in production posted a sales increase in January, led by the brand’s flagship Jeep Grand Cherokee. Sales of the Jeep Grand Cherokee, the brand’s volume leader, increased 130 percent in January versus a year ago. Sales of the iconic Jeep Wrangler were up 32 percent compared with January a year ago.
The Jeep brand is celebrating its 70th anniversary this year. To mark the occasion, the brand is creating distinctive, premium 70th Anniversary Edition models of each vehicle in its lineup that pay homage to the history of the legendary Jeep brand. All Jeep 70th Anniversary Edition models will arrive in showrooms in the first quarter, and all will be available in a unique Bronze Star exterior paint, in addition to Bright Silver and Black.
The Jeep brand unveiled its new 2011 Jeep Compass compact SUV at the North American International Auto Show in January. Offering unsurpassed 4×4 fuel economy and off-road capability in the compact-SUV segment, the 2011 Compass features a stunning new sophisticated design, with cues coming directly from the brand’s premium icon, the all-new 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee.
Chrysler Brand
The Chrysler brand’s Town & Country minivan posted a 45 percent sales increase in January. Town & Country had more sales in the United States than any other minivan in 2010, and led Chrysler brand sales for the year. Building on that momentum, the Chrysler brand recently introduced a new Town & Country minivan for 2011. In January, the Chrysler Group celebrated the production launch of the new 2011 Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan at the Windsor (Canada) Assembly Plant.
The all-new 2011 Chrysler 300 series sedans premiered at the 2011 North American International Auto Show in January. The new 300 was named in January as a Top Safety Pick for 2011 by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, marking the first time the model has achieved the Insurance Institute’s highest rating. The Chrysler 300 series delivers grand-touring performance and world-class ride and handling with best-in-class V-6 engine power and new second-generation E-segment chassis architecture. Shipments of the all-new 300 series to dealers began in late January.
Ram Truck Brand
The Ram Truck brand, named the 2010 Manufacturer of the Year by Off-Road Adventures magazine, posted an 18 percent sales increase in January. Ram pickup truck sales were up 22 percent, compared with the same month in 2010. Both the Light Duty and Heavy Duty pickups posted double-digit percentage sales gains in January versus a year ago. AUTOMOBILE Magazine named the Ram 1500 to its annual list of All-Stars late last year. It marked the second consecutive year that the Ram 1500 was named to the list.
Dodge Brand
Dodge brand sales were up 22 percent in January versus a year ago, led by sales of the Dodge Grand Caravan, the brand’s volume leader. The minivan’s sales increased 82 percent in January compared with sales in January 2010. Chrysler Group last month celebrated the production launch of the new 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan, as well as its Chrysler brand sibling, the Town & Country minivan, at the Windsor (Canada) Assembly Plant.
The all-new 2011 Dodge Charger in January was named a Top Safety Pick for 2011 by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, marking the first time the muscle car has achieved the Insurance Institute’s highest rating.
Sales of the Dodge Nitro mid-size sport utility were up 43 percent in January, while sales of the Dodge Challenger muscle car were up 50 percent. The all-new 2011 Dodge Durango three-row SUV began arriving in Dodge dealerships in January.
