Special Report: 2008 Chrysler LLC Outside North America Sales Archive

Chrysler’s March sales of 24,032 units outside North America are the highest monthly sales total on record for the Company in critical international markets. An increase of seven percent in March 2008 over the same month last year also extended the company’s international growth streak to 34 consecutive months and pushed first quarter 2008 sales up nine percent to a first quarter record of 57,346 units.

"We congratulate all of our dealers in our international markets for achieving the best first quarter and month of sales ever in the company's history. Our expanded international dealer network and product lineup is creating a new generation of loyal customers in all parts of the world," said Jim Press, Vice Chairman and President of Chrysler LLC. "Driving our international growth are new fuel-efficient models, like Jeep Compass and Jeep Patriot, and right-size performance vehicles such as the Dodge Caliber SRT4, which will arrive in markets outside North America later this year. It is truly an exciting time for Chrysler in markets around the world."

European sales, which account for slightly more than half of Chrysler’s sales outside North America, increased four percent in the first quarter. Italy is the highest volume market for Chrysler outside of North America in 2008, with sales up 15 percent year-to-date to 6,170 units. The U.K. market had its best first quarter Chrysler sales ever (5,609 units), an increase of 10 percent, and outsold all other markets during the month of March. Russia is the company’s highest-growth European market with sales up 94 percent year-to-date to 2,139 units, establishing a record in the market for the best quarter ever.

In Asian markets, Chrysler’s China sales more than doubled during the first quarter of 2008 (4,839 units), the greatest percent increase of any volume market in the world for the Company. The market nearly quadrupled sales for the month (2,652 units) compared to March 2007. Much of this growth can be attributed to incremental sales of the locally-built Chrysler Sebring, which was launched last month and sold over 1,000 units – accounting for 22 percent of the market’s first quarter sales.

Jeep_® and Dodge brand sales increased significantly through the first quarter, with Jeep sales up 11 percent (22,699 units), and Dodge sales up 46 percent (17,371 units). Chrysler brand sales decreased 15 percent (17,276 units), while sales of the new Chrysler Sebring Sedan and Cabrio vehicles grew exponentially compared to the previous model. For the first three months of this year, sales for the Chrysler Sebring (nearly 3,000 units) increased four and half times the sales volume reached by the previous model. The top selling model for Chrysler outside North America in the first quarter is the fuel-efficient, C-segment vehicle - Dodge Caliber.

Chrysler LLC sells and services vehicles in more than 125 countries around the world. Sales outside North America currently account for more than nine percent of the Company’s total global sales, up from six percent in the year 2000. Vehicles available range across all three Chrysler brands, with limited availability on some trucks and SUV models. The Company’s operations outside North America have been experiencing year-over-year sales increases since 2004, with a record number of vehicles sold in 2007. In 2008, Chrysler LLC will launch three all-new volume vehicles outside North America, one for each one of its brands, and will remain focused on strategic, profitable growth in markets around the world.