Chrysler minivan sales jump in Canada and U.S

This may explain media reports as to why there was a disconnect between
the cash-4-clunkers sales boon and Chryler's August yoy numbers:

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An article in the Wall Street Journal pointed to lost sales due to low
inventory levels caused by the three-month lack of production during
Chrysler’s bankruptcy process.

But the article also quoted an upstate New York dealership that reported
being “totally out of minivans.”
======================

http://www.vancouversun.com/cars/Chrysler+minivan+sales+jump+Canada/1952439/story.html

WINDSOR, Ont. -- Sales of Chrysler vehicles in August decreased compared
to the same time last year — but the Dodge Grand Caravan was not among
the products lacking consumer demand.

According to figures released by the company Tuesday, sales of the
Windsor-manufactured minivan increased on both sides of the border.

In the U.S., a total of 10,648 Grand Caravans were sold in August 2009 —
an improvement of 13 per cent compared to August 2008.

It’s the second consecutive month that Grand Caravan sales in the U.S.
have risen.

In Canada, the Dodge Grand Caravan outsold its nearest minivan
competitor by a margin of seven to one, grabbing an unprecedented 66 per
cent of the market segment.

Combined with the Chrysler Town & Country, 5,167 Chrysler minivans were
sold in Canada in August 2009 — a 92 per cent jump compared to August
2008.

To meet the demand, Chrysler recently announced that it would retain the
third shift at the Windsor Assembly Plant.

“Momentum has been building at Chrysler Canada throughout the summer,”
said Reid Bigland, president and CEO of Chrysler Canada.

“With our Windsor minivan plant now operating around the clock and our
minivans currently commanding 70 per cent segment share, this is great
news for prospective customers and bad news for the competition.”

Steve Beahm, vice-president of sales operations for Chrysler in the
U.S., said the Dodge Grand Caravan was among the Chrysler vehicles that
proved to be “very popular with consumers” last month.

“Chrysler Group’s large car, minivan, crossover and truck segments all
posted increases in retail sales in August,” Beahm said.

However, the brisk minivan sales were not enough to offset a decline in
Chrysler’s overall sales.

In the U.S., sales for August 2009 fell 15 per cent compared to August
2008, while Canadian sales dropped seven per cent.

An article in the Wall Street Journal pointed to lost sales due to low
inventory levels caused by the three-month lack of production during
Chrysler’s bankruptcy process.

But the article also quoted an upstate New York dealership that reported
being “totally out of minivans.”

Although sales of the Dodge Grand Caravan in August are far from the
figures posted during the height of the minivan boom in the 1990s,
recent demand for the vehicle appears contrary to the perceived wisdom
that the minivan market is dead.

“What’s that old saying? ‘Rumours of my death have been greatly
exaggerated?’” said Mark Nantais, president of the Canadian Vehicle
Manufacturers’ Association.

Nantais acknowledged that the minivan market is “not like it used to
be,” but he pointed out that “there is still a demand for vehicles that
have a great deal of utility. Whether it’s a minivan, a pickup truck or
whatever, there will be customers who have specific utility
requirements. Those are the people who still seek out these types of
products.”

Nantais also noted that technological improvements have made minivans
and other utility vehicles “more fuel-efficient and cleaner than ever
before.”

Mary Gauthier, a spokeswoman for Chrysler Canada, touted the Dodge Grand
Caravan as “the gold standard” of minivans.

Gauthier noted that some of Chrysler’s competitors have dropped out of
the minivan segment, and she believes consumers still seeking minivans
are turning to Chrysler products.

“The Dodge Grand Caravan has been extremely strong,” Gauthier said. “If
you look at some of the features that we’ve got on (the vehicle),
they’re absolutely unbeatable.”

 

MoPar Man,
I always thought that the "automotive press" has been slanted against
Chrysler for a long time. They don't know what to do when people are
buying their cars, instead of flocking to Honda, Toyota, Hyundai, etc.
I would never own a Japanese/Korean car. I have a 2007 Caliber and my
wife and I love that car, great mileage, comfort, size etc. My other
car is a 1941 Windsor, great car, no a/c!