DaimlerChrysler Canada Reports May Sales Results

[doh]

http://biz.yahoo.com/cnw/060601/daim...ales.html?.v=1
Thursday June 1, 2:19 pm ET


- Total May sales up 21.4 percent over May 2005 - Both Car and Truck sales increase in May - Jeep(R) Brand SUVs up 26.8 percent for May - Compact cars sales increase 58 percent YTD
WINDSOR, ON, June 1 /CNW/ - DaimlerChrysler Canada today reported a total of 24,430 units sold in May, including 7,414 cars and 17,016 trucks. Compared to sales of 20,117 units in May 2005, sales for the month are up 21.4 percent. Car sales for the month increased 36 percent and truck sales increased 16 percent. Compared to first five months of 2005, total sales for the same period in 2006 are up 9.4 percent, with increases of 21.8 percent in car sales and 5 percent in truck sales.

"We are pleased to have achieved the fourth monthly increase this year," said Steven Landry, President and CEO, DaimlerChrysler Canada. "So far this year, we see increases in a cross-section of our lineup, including small cars, fueled by the new Dodge Caliber; minivans led by Dodge Caravan; both Dodge pickup trucks and our full line of SUVs, pushed up by the Jeep(R) brand."

May sales highlights

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DaimlerChrysler Canada's total car sales were up 36.1 percent for the month driven by continued popularity of new Dodge car models. Dodge Caliber sales reached 2,863, more than double the 2005 May sales of the Dodge SX 2.0. Dodge Charger sales increased to 514 units, compared to 178 in 2005.

DaimlerChrysler Canada's total truck sales were up 16 percent, driven by 7.4 percent increase in Dodge Ram pickup trucks and 33.6 percent growth in the Dodge Caravan minivan sales. The Jeep brand added to the growth in trucks with an overall increase of 26.8 percent, led by Jeep Commander, Jeep Liberty and Jeep Grand Cherokee.

Year-to-date sales highlights

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Year-to-date, DaimlerChrysler Canada sales increased a total of 9.4 percent, with growth in both car (+21.8) and truck (+5.1) lineups. Supporting this growth is the popularity of the three vehicles produced in Brampton, Ontario. Year-to-date, sales of the Chrysler 300/300C, Dodge Charger and Dodge Magnum improved in total 23 percent to reach 11,778 units. On the car side, year-to-date growth is coming from a 58 percent increase in compact car sales (Dodge Caliber and Dodge SX 2.0).

[mpsrent]

For such a new car, I'm surprised at the number of Calibers that I have seen on the road already. These are strong numbers that speak well about why auto manufacturers must keep a constant flow of fresh product to stay competitive in today's market.