DaimlerChrysler Canada Reports 10 Months of Sales Growth

DaimlerChrysler Canada Reports 10 Months of Sales Growth

    <<    -   May sales up 4.8 per cent    -   Double-digit sales growth in retail, double-digit sales decrease in        fleet    -   New, fuel-efficient compact models drive growth    -   Jeep(R) brand up 65 per cent on Compass, Patriot, Wrangler sales    >>

  WINDSOR, ON, June 1 /CNW/ - DaimlerChrysler Canada today announced its
10th consecutive month of sales increases, a streak that began in August of
2006. Sales for May 2007 were 25,605 units, including 7,009 cars and 18,596
trucks. Compared with the same month last year when 24,430 units were sold,
May sales were up 4.8 per cent.
  "Ten months of sales growth demonstrates the impact of the new
fuel-efficient products we have recently brought to the market," said Dave
Buckingham, Vice President - Sales, DaimlerChrysler Canada. "These new
products combined with our leadership position in minivans and trucks are
driving showroom traffic and incremental sales."
  The percentage of retail sales growth is in the doulble digits, as is the
percentage of sales decline in fleet, continuing a year-to-date trend of solid
retail sales growth.

  Other Highlights

  Sales of Chrysler Group's highly fuel-efficient compact vehicles, Dodge
Caliber, Jeep Compass and Jeep Patriot, reached 4,241 for the month,
significant growth over last year when only Caliber was available in the
segment. The success of Patriot, Compass and also the all-new Jeep Wrangler
drove a 65 per cent increase in Jeep brand sales versus May 2006 at
4,284 total units.
  The all-new Dodge Nitro combined with Jeep Liberty to sell 1,502 units,
up 55.6 per cent from last year, as our mid-size SUV entries continue to show
strength based upon their combination of practicality, value and fuel
efficiency. Dodge Dakota also showed tremendous strength, up 58.4 per cent to
993 units.
  Sales of Dodge Charger reached 1,316 units to hit an all-time monthly
high, while the all-new 2008 Dodge Avenger sales continue to climb since it
was launched earlier this year and hit 927 units.
  In trucks, Dodge Ram pickup set a new May sales record with 4,044 units
sold and was up 10.6 per cent over last May, including up 28.8 per cent on the
Ram Heavy Duty available with the new 6.7L Cummins Turbo Diesel, which is the
only Diesel to meet 2010 Emissions Standards.
  The successful May 'Dodge Caravan National Sales Event' program continues
into June, which boosted Dodge Caravan sales up 8 per cent at retail and sold
a total of 7,034 units. This program offers consumers the ability to 'Drive
Free for 3' with three months of Free Payments, three months of Free Gas and
three months of Free Scheduled Maintenance, in addition to offering the best
combination of flexibility, spaciousness, safety and value, including the
industry standard Stow 'n Go(R) seating system.
  Total DaimlerChrysler Canada year-to-date sales through May 2007 are up
4.4 per cent to 101,208 units.