Chrysler Canada Reports Record Sales

    
    -   Record March sales for:
        -   Ram Truck - up 101 per cent
        -   Dodge Grand Caravan - up 40 per cent
        -   Jeep(R) Wrangler - up 81 per cent
    -   All-time record for Dodge Journey - sales up 66 per cent
    -   Retail sales up 36 per cent over March 2009
    

WINDSOR, ON, April 1 /CNW/ - Chrysler Canada today reported another exceptionally strong sales month, with 19,470 units sold in March, an increase of 22 per cent over the same month in 2009.

For the fourth consecutive month, Chrysler Canada retail sales posted an increase of greater than 20 per cent, with March retail sales gaining 36 per cent for the month.

"We made more records in March than Motown has in the last 10 years," said Reid Bigland, President and CEO of Chrysler Canada. "Our Ram Trucks, Dodge Grand Caravan, Dodge Journey and legendary Jeep(R) Wrangler were all big hits last month, posting record sales."

Sales Highlights

Two of the Top Five-selling nameplates in Canada were Chrysler Canada vehicles: the Dodge Grand Caravan and the Ram pickup.

Sales of the Ram Heavy Duty pickup, the Motor Trend Truck of the Year, helped propel the Ram Truck to its best March ever, with a gain of 101 per cent on sales of 4,841 units.

"Pickup trucks are the second most popular vehicles in Canada," said Dave Buckingham, Vice President of Sales, Chrysler Canada. "It's no surprise that with Motor Trend's 2010 Truck of the Year in our corner, our Ram sales more than doubled in March over last year."

Canada's No. 1 selling crossover, the Dodge Journey, posted an all-time sales record in March. Dodge Journey sales rose 66 per cent on 2,239 units sold.

An all-time record for the month of March was also posted by the legendary Jeep Wrangler with 1,160 units sold, an increase of 81 per cent compared with March 2009.

The Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country continued their impressive sales performance with combined sales up 43 per cent (5,774 units), also an all-time high for the month of March. Better than eight out of every ten Canadian minivan shoppers chose a Chrysler minivan in March.

April Incentive Program

For the month of April, Chrysler Canada is launching the all-new incentive program "Why Canada Drives Chrysler, Jeep(R), Dodge and Ram Vehicles." Canadians are encouraged to visit one of the company's 440 dealerships to experience the company's incredible lineup of industry-leading vehicles and find out why so many Canadians drive Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge and Ram models.

From April 1 to April 30, dealers across Canada will be showcasing our award-winning and segment-leading products such as the all-new 2010 Motor Trend Truck of the Year - Ram Heavy Duty; the country's No. 1 selling minivan - Dodge Grand Caravan; Canada's No. 1 selling crossover - the Dodge Journey; and the most fuel-efficient and affordable 4x4 in Canada - the Jeep Patriot.

In addition, during this exclusive one-month promotion, customers will be eligible for $500 in "Why Canada Drives" Bonus Cash towards the purchase of virtually any new 2010 Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge or Ram model. Customers will also be eligible for up to $7,500 in Consumer Cash Discounts on nearly every 2010 Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge and Ram vehicle. In addition, Canadians can also receive $1,000 in Jeep Bonus Cash, providing customers even further value on the legendary Jeep lineup, including the 2010 Jeep Patriot, Jeep Compass, Jeep Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited, Jeep Liberty, Jeep Commander and Jeep Grand Cherokee.

Chrysler Canada continues to offer the most compelling purchase finance options in the industry, which are combinable with all retail discounts: the industry-first variable prime rate of 2.25 per cent up to 84 months or zero per cent up to 36 months on nearly every 2010 Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, and Ram vehicle.

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.

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]