The Jeep helps Chrysler grow
by EVANDER KLUM
Outside North America, sales for the now Cerberus-owned Chrysler LLC��s Jeep brand have grown dramatically by 15 percent with a reported 79,520 units Jeeps sold until October. For October, Chrysler��s International sales were up by 14 percent by selling a total of 19,797 units while the company��s 2007 sales have also increased by 14 percent with 196,626 units sold. October made it to Chrysler��s 29th consecutive month of year-over-year sales increase.
Regions with booming auto markets have given Chrysler greener pastures. The Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East have given Chrysler 17 percent, 25 percent, and 65 percent sales growth respectively in October. Countries like China, Brazil and Russia have contributed largely to this series of company sales growth for the automaker.
"It is important to recognize opportunities outside North America to balance the impact any one region can have on the business," said Michael Manley, Executive Vice President - International Sales, Marketing and Business Development. "Our focus on growth is not only to increase sales internationally, but also to ensure that the growth is balanced among the Company's three brands. Our continued focus must be on developing great products that are appropriate for our markets, world-class quality and the development of the most competitive distribution channels."
With the 15 percent sales increase after selling 79,520 units from the start of the year to date compared to the sales of the same period last year, the Jeep brand claims to be Chrysler��s best selling brand. Jeep models (built with Jeep floor mats) are gaining concrete sales. The new Jeep Wrangler doubled the sales of the previous model and the Grand Cherokee is continuously selling great that it is ranked to be Chrysler��s second selling vehicle of Chrysler beyond the North American market.
"The expanded portfolio for the Jeep brand has resulted in a sales increase of more than 10,000 units so far this year, and established it as the Company's highest volume brand outside North America," said Thomas Hausch, Vice President - International Sales. "Replacements for existing models, such as Grand Cherokee and Wrangler have been very well received; and this month in Morocco, we are launching the all-new Jeep Cherokee to International markets, which we believe will help the brand grow its global presence even further. Overall, with 197,000 units sold year to date, we have already surpassed the total calendar year sales for 2005, and Jeep has contributed significantly to this accomplishment."
