While the past years have been full of woes for the Chrysler Group, the car maker has something to feel good about. In the United States auto market, the American car manufacturer posted its second consecutive month of increased sales. Outside the continent, the company is doing much better as they reported a sales increase last month outside North America as compared to May 2006. The month also marked the 24th consecutive month that the company posted an increase in sales.
Outside North America, the company sold 20,553 units of Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge vehicles. That figure is reported to be 24 percent more than the number of vehicles they sold for the same month last year. Year to date sale also increased as the company has already sold 91,412 units for the first five months of this year. That number is 16 percent more than the number of vehicles sold by the company for the first five months of last year. The increased sale outside the continent is boosted by the number of exported Chrysler Group vehicles from North America.
"The continued growth of the international vehicle portfolio supports our Recovery and Transformation plan," says Michael Manley, the Chrysler Group Executive Vice President of International Sales, Marketing and Business Development. "The success of the vehicles that are now available in markets outside North America indicates that there is great growth potential for Chrysler Group," he added.
The increased sale for the company comes on the heels of DaimlerChrysler selling the majority of the American car corporation to investment firm Cerberus. The sale came after Chrysler struggled in its competition with Asian brands. The company has already closed down assembly plants and reduced shifts on other facilities to reduce cost and production. With less production, the company is able to turn a profit as opposed to increased production when less car buyers are opting to own them.
The introduction of fuel-efficient vehicles to the company's lineup boosted its sale. These vehicles are designed to meet the demand of car buyers which have shifted their attention to gas misers as the price of gasoline skyrockets. While these cars are already fuel efficient, aftermarket parts like systems are being used by car owners to further increase the fuel economy of a particular Chrysler vehicle.
"Our fuel-efficient diesel and petrol engines, right-hand drive availability and multiple safety features packaged in distinct vehicle designs appeal to customers all over the world, and positions Chrysler Group as a serious global competitor," says Manley.
Western Europe is one of the fastest growing markets for diesel engine-equipped vehicles. It is estimated that by the end of the year 75 percent of Chrysler's sale in Western Europe will be diesel vehicles. Currently, diesel vehicles comprised 65 percent of Chrysler's total sales in the region.
Outside North America, the best selling vehicle for the Chrysler Group is the Dodge Caliber. For the first five months of the year, Chrysler has already sold 13,265 units of the Caliber. The Jeep Grand Cherokee is the second best selling vehicle with as year to date sales figure of 13,017 units. The Chrysler Voyager/Grand Voyager come third with 12,358 units sold.
