Chrysler November Sales Plummet 25 Percent
Initial indications of November’s sales numbers show an industry exhibiting some signs of leveling off after a solid year of steep declines. And when the rest of the industry is merely flat, Chrysler has to satisfy itself with slightly-less-dramatic-than-usual declines. Though Chrysler’s sales [full PDF release here] were “only” down 25 percent compared to November 2008, things were hardly going well a year ago. As a result, Chrysler sold an embarrassing 63,560 units total, ending the month with a 64-day supply of vehicles despite offering some of the industry’s most generous incentives. Forget the percentages, Chrysler’s niche-like volume is the killer here… and it’s relentlessly slipping away as the Pentastarred zombie crashes into oblivion.
All brands were down for the month, with Dodge skidding 8 percent, Jeep dropping 24 percent, Chrysler tumbling 37 percent and the new Ram brand falling 38 percent.
Chrysler’s only month-on-month gainers were the Sebring (+5 percent, 3,044 units), Avenger (+51 percent, 3,571 units), Journey (+93 percent, 5,434 units) and Caravan (+35 percent, 8,171).
The big losers? There are so many to choose from. The decision to keep PT Cruiser’s rolling off the line until 2011 wasn’t well-justified last month, as PT plummeted 91 percent to 310 (no, not a typo) units. Caliber fared little better, as an 85 percent decline dropped volume to a paltry 412 units. Dakota fell to triple-digit volume levels as well, posting a 62 percent decline to 663 units. Though Ram “only” fell 35 percent, it’s status as ChryCo’s best-seller means it shed a whopping 5,751 units compared to last November, for a total volume of 9,787 units.
All in all, Chrysler continues to exhibit all the signs of freefall. Though decent sales of Journey might indicate that Chrysler’s new ad campaigns might be having some affect, it’s clear that nothing short of a biblical miracle will stop Chrysler ignominious decline. And with no new product due to hit ChryCo’s showrooms until this time next year, there’s little reason for optimism. Chrysler is a dead automaker walking.
More by Edward Niedermeyer
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Consumer Reports where right when they said in April that none of the Chrysler vehicles was worth buying, they could not recommend any of them, and so you still have "fools" buying them and then complaining on some of our blogs that they purchased a "lemon", a lot of people must be stupid over all imho!
Jeff, It is not a Fiat bailout because Fiat did not receive any money. Their 25-35% ownership stake is worth exactly zero at the present time and will only have any value going forward if their management, technology, platforms/engines make Chrysler profitable. The value of Fiat's 25-35% ownership will only materialize if their contributions to Chrysler make Chrysler both profitable and valuable as an entity. By any definition of bailout Fiat was in no way a part of it. Again, since Chrysler has already received the bailout money why would anyone post that Chrysler should cease as a business now meaning there is zero possibility of the bailout funds being repaid? Irregardless of your personal feelings stating that doesn't even make any economic sense. The taxpayers have already spent the money why shouldn't Chrysler continue operating in hopes of the money being repaid? We all know exactly what dire straits Chrysler is in yet some dismiss giving them any reasonable amount of time to succeed. For both GM and Chrysler the turnarounds can't possibly happen in 90 days. Everyone needs to remember the current annual sales rate and take that strongly into consideration when viewing either company's performance. Just on a rational the taxpayers need the bailout funds repaid basis I would think anyone would want these companies to succeed. It doesn't matter whether you like the companies or their products, you want the bailout funds repaid.