Chrysler May Sales Fall 30 Percent
Chrysler may be headed out of bankruptcy, but it’s sales aren’t headed out of double-digit declines any time soon. Chrysler’s best performer? The Challenger, which racked up a meaningless 3696 percent increase over May 2008’s 71 units sold (per Chrysler’s official release). That translates to 2,695 units sold last month. Also, Wrangler topped May ’08 sales by 34 units. 300 was down only 23 percent, Liberty was down only 26 percent and Ram only shed 21 percent. Otherwise, this was pretty much the monthly bloodbath routine. Aspen (-67 percent), Compass (-70 percent), Commander (-54 percent), Dakota (-76 percent), and Durango (-56 percent) all failed to break past triple-digit sales. Everywhere else, now-routine drops of 50-70 percent were the norm.
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Here's an interesting perspective from an investment news web site... "Ford(F Quote) sales analyst George Pipas said sales figures may have been distorted by the forced June closures of some Chrysler dealers. "Among terminating dealers, there were some fire sales that were taking place," he said. "Those dealers were highly motivated to get those units off their lot and sold before the deadline."
Down 50% year over year in Canada. Ford is now #2 with a bullet, erm, yes.
Only 30% decline? Who are these people still buying Chryslers? They're probably similar to those who bought Daewoos - whether years ago when they were badged as Daewoos or more recently badged as Chevys.
I am starting to believe that Chrysler will be lucky if they sell a million vehicles this year.