Where's The Chrysler 200's Super Bump?

Edward Niedermeyer
by Edward Niedermeyer

The Freep notes that

Sales of the “Imported from Detroit” Chrysler 200 were a modest 2,319 in February. But during the same month a year ago, Chrysler sold 3,160 of the 200’s much-maligned predecessor, the Sebring.

And though the 200 has been in production since December, Chrysler spokesman Ralph Kisiel insists

It’s still in ramp-up mode, and we’ll continue to build volumes over this month and the next several months

But with the updated Avenger selling 3,477 units in the same month (without the benefit of an endlessly drooled-over Super Bowl ad), surely something is afoot here. To the numbers!

A look at our sales breakdown reveals that the 200 actually slightly outsold the Sebring sedan’s February ’10 performance, 2,875 to 2,718. The difference: only 125 Sebring or 200 convertibles were sold last February, while a year ago Chrysler moved 442 of the midsized drop-tops. Is this a sign of some rental fleet sales discipline on Chrysler’s part? Either way, it seems that Chrysler’s splashy $9m ad for the 200 didn’t do all that much for the 200 (or, worse still, Chrysler overproduced Avengers, dooming the 200 ad to failure). For a turnaround, this sure seems like just treading water.


Edward Niedermeyer
Edward Niedermeyer

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  • Rod Panhard Rod Panhard on Mar 03, 2011

    I'd like to report that "Imported from Detroit" is very similar to the slogan for Turkey Hill dairy products ... ice cream, etc., which are "Imported from Lancaster County."

    • Windswords Windswords on Mar 03, 2011

      I miss Turkey Hill now that I'm in Florida. Great ice creame. And I miss Tastykakes too.

  • Alex Rodriguez Alex Rodriguez on Mar 03, 2011

    This article is very premature. The 200 is barely arriving at showrooms, it is just a few weeks out of pre-production. Same for the 300 and the Charger. Look at those numbers. Do you expect the new 300 to sell only 1,300 units a month? Do you expect the new Charger to sell only 3,200 units a month?

    • Enzl Enzl on Mar 03, 2011

      I will attest to that theory. Our store has 2 200s and 1 Charger, with 300s expected in the next week or two. Yes, we expect more soon, but simply put, if you don't have 'em, you can't sell 'em.

  • Mjz Mjz on Mar 03, 2011

    The 200 is a HUGE improvement over the Sebring. The new interior is almost decadent when compared to the craplastic Camry. My local dealership had a very limited supply of the 200 when the ad broke. I think if people really take a good look at this car, they will like what they see. It has a sense of style and upscale interior materials that most of the blandmobiles in this class are lacking. An amazing refresh in such a short time that has at least made the car competitive with others in its class.

  • MSerapis MSerapis on Mar 03, 2011

    Yep Marshall hit the nail on the head. That is exactly what they do in Detroit.

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