Chrysler Canada Continues Sales Momentum with Ninth Consecutive Month of
Growth

    
    -   Total August sales up 12 per cent over 2009; four per cent over pre-
        downturn 2008

    -   August retail sales surge 20 per cent

    -   Ninth consecutive month of year-over-year retail growth in excess of
        20 per cent

    -   Best August ever for Jeep(R) Wrangler, Dodge Journey, Ram pickup,
        Dodge Challenger and Jeep Patriot

    -   Chrysler Group worldwide minivan sales hit 13 million in August

    -   Best January-through-August sales ever for Ram pickup, Jeep Wrangler,
        Dodge Journey and Dodge Grand Caravan
    

WINDSOR, ON, Sept. 1 /CNW/ - Chrysler Canada today announced total sales for the month of August of 16,144 units, up 12 per cent over the same month last year (August 2009: 14,432). This figure also surpasses the 2008 pre-economic downturn level, with growth of four per cent compared with August 2008. Sales at the retail level surged 20 per cent due to continued strong consumer demand.

"We are extremely pleased with our progress so far this year," said Reid Bigland, President and CEO of Chrysler Canada. "Most of our 16 all-new or significantly refreshed vehicles are just starting to launch, and we are moving into this product onslaught with nine consecutive months of growth momentum behind us."

Sales Highlights

Five Chrysler Canada vehicles achieved their best-ever month-of-August sales: The award-winning Ram pickup soared 87 per cent with sales of 5,299 units. Sales of the legendary Jeep(R) Wrangler climbed 115 per cent to 1,054 units. Canada's best-selling crossover, the Dodge Journey, more than doubled its sales compared with August 2009, on 2,141 units sold. The Dodge Challenger recorded sales of 196 units, a gain of 80 per cent over last year's level. The Jeep Patriot also posted its best August ever, with an increase of 69 per cent on sales of 953 units.

"For the January-through-August time frame, we have achieved all-time record sales levels on four of our core vehicles - Ram pickup, Dodge Journey, Dodge Grand Caravan and Jeep Wrangler," said Dave Buckingham, Vice President of Sales - Chrysler Canada. "This month we are raising the bar with the introduction of an innovative way to own a vehicle called Customer Choice Financing. We think this program will change the way vehicles are purchased in Canada."

    
    Chrysler Canada Highlights
    --------------------------

    August Sales      August 2010  August 2009  % Change
    Total Volume         16,144       14,432       12%

    Model Highlights  August 2010  August 2009  % Change
    Ram Pick-up           5,299        2,831       87%   Record August Sales
    Dodge Journey         2,141          947      126%   Record August Sales
    Jeep Wrangler         1,054          491      115%   Record August Sales
    Jeep Patriot            953          565       69%   Record August Sales
    Dodge Challenger        196          109       80%   Record August Sales


    CYTD Sales        August 2010  August 2009  % Change
    Total Volume        143,937       107,780      34%

    Model Highlights  August 2010  August 2009  % Change
    Grand Caravan        38,332       25,713       49%
    Ram Pick-up          37,045       19,759       87%
    Dodge Journey        14,933        9,049       65%
    

13 million minivans sold worldwide

Chrysler Group LLC hit an incredible milestone during the month of August. The company that invented the minivan 27 years ago sold its 13 millionth minivan.

The very first minivan rolled off the line at Windsor Assembly Plant in Windsor, Ontario, on November 2, 1983. This first generation, known as the "Magic Wagon," was garageable, had front-wheel drive, could carry a 4' x 8' sheet of plywood and seated seven.

The current platform is the fifth generation, and is sold in more than 80 countries worldwide. The Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country remain the leaders in the segment, capturing better than 75 per cent market share in Canada. The Dodge Grand Caravan is the second highest selling nameplate in the country calendar year to date.

    
    Among the 75 minivan-first innovations pioneered by Chrysler Group are:

    -   First minivan to offer standard driver-side air bag (1991)

    -   First ever integrated child safety seat (1992)

    -   First minivan in North America to offer driver-side sliding door
        (fourth door) (1996)

    -   First minivan to offer power-up and power-down liftgate and three-
        zone automatic temperature control (2001)

    -   First minivan with Stow 'n Go(R) seating and storage system (2004)

    -   First minivan with a six-speed transmission (2007)

    -   First to offer dual DVD system which plays different media on each
        DVD (2007)
    

Customer Choice Financing

This week, Chrysler Canada announced an innovative new way to own a Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep or Ram vehicle called Customer Choice Financing. This program allows consumers to purchase a new vehicle with low monthly payments and have the option to return the vehicle at the end of the predetermined time period, which can be in as little as 36 months.

Under the Customer Choice Financing program, buyers can select a 36-month, 48-month, or 60-month financing term. At the end of this period, the customer can turn the vehicle in or elect to keep the vehicle.

Chrysler was the first manufacturer in Canada to offer Variable Prime Rate Financing to its customers and is now pleased to make Customer Choice Financing available. Customer Choice Financing is offered on all Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram vehicles effective September 1, 2010.

About Chrysler Canada

Founded as the Chrysler Corporation in 1925, Chrysler Canada Inc. is based in Windsor, Ontario, and celebrates its 85th anniversary in 2010. Chrysler Canada is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Chrysler Group LLC, one of the world's leading automotive companies. Chrysler Canada's product lineup features some of the world's most recognizable vehicles, including the Dodge Grand Caravan, Jeep(R) Wrangler and Chrysler 300. -No.No.No.-

Additional information and news from Chrysler is available at http://www.media.chrysler.com.

For further information: Mary Gauthier, [phone] (office), [phone] (cell), [email protected]