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<strong> Suzuki Auto Begins Third Quarter with Monthly Sales Increase</strong>
* Suzuki sales up 2 percent for month, driven by popular SX4 lineup
* July sales bring 2008 volume to 64,351 vehicles
BREA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--American Suzuki Motor Corp. today announced automotive sales of 8,103 units in July, an increase of 2 percent over last year’s July sales total. The monthly results bring Suzuki’s year-to-date figures to 64,351 vehicles. Suzuki’s market share has increased 14.3 percent through the first six months of 2008.
Suzuki sales continue to be propelled by the versatile SX4 model line, which sold an impressive 2,595 units, an increase of 160 percent over 2007. Sales of the Grand Vitara compact SUV also contributed to Suzuki’s July strong performance with 1,256 units sold.
“Despite the economic challenges facing the automotive marketplace, Suzuki is pleased to kick off the third quarter on a positive note,” said Mark Harano, executive vice president of American Suzuki Automotive Operations. “With potential car buyers’ current focus on fuel-efficient, affordable vehicles, Suzuki is poised for continued growth through the end of the summer and into the 2009 model year.”
2008 Suzuki Auto Product Line
Suzuki Auto’s versatile line of vehicles includes the spirited four-door SX4 Sport, bold and functional five-door SX4 Crossover, exciting XL7 midsize crossover SUV, rugged Grand Vitara compact SUV, popular Forenza sedan and Forenza Wagon, and the European-styled Reno. Every vehicle in the line provides Suzuki’s standout virtues of toughness, leading-edge style and high-end features at very competitive prices. All 2008 Suzuki automobiles are backed by America’s #1 Warranty: a 100,000-mile/seven-year, fully transferable, zero-deductible powertrain limited warranty.
About Suzuki
The Brea, Calif.-based Operations of American Suzuki Motor Corporation (ASMC) was founded in 1963 by parent company Suzuki Motor Corporation (SMC) and currently markets its vehicles in the United States through a network of approximately 500 automotive dealerships and numerous other motorcycle, ATV and marine distributors in 49 states. With global headquarters in Hamamatsu, Japan, SMC is a diversified worldwide automobile, motorcycle, and outboard motor manufacturer. In 2007, SMC sold more than two million new cars and trucks and more than three million motorcycles and ATVs. Founded in 1909 and incorporated in 1920, SMC has operations in 193 countries and regions. For more information, visit www.media.suzuki.com.
SUZUKI AUTO JULY SALES
July CYTD
2008 2007 % Change 2008 2007 % Change
GRAND VITARA: 1,256 1,361 -8 % 8,477 12,351 -31 %
XL7: 1,812 1,730 5 % 18,885 14,807 28 %
SX4: 2,595 999 160 % 20,605 8,010 157 %
FORENZA/RENO: 2,439 3,735 -35 % 16,303 28,259 -42 %
OTHER: 1 118 -99 % 81 2,004 -99 %
TOTAL: 8,103 7,943 2 % 64,351 65,431 -2 %
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<strong>Chrysler LLC Reports July 2008 U.S. Sales</strong>
- Chrysler Town & Country up 24 percent in July; drives total minivan sales 5 percent higher; considered fuel-efficient alternative
- Fuel-efficient Jeep(R) Patriot is a true success in the market
- Dodge Ram performance improves versus previous month's sales
AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Aug. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Chrysler LLC today reported total July 2008 U.S. sales of 98,109 units, which is 29 percent below the same period last year. Total July sales reflect a continued contraction of the market of pickup trucks and SUV sales and reductions in fleet sales. The company's recently completed 'Let's Refuel America $2.99 Gas Guarantee' promotion boosted showroom traffic and helped sales of Chrysler's newest highly fuel-efficient vehicles throughout the three-month program period. All sales figures are reported as unadjusted.
"We are writing a new chapter in the auto industry story as customers, dealers and companies adjust to a changing environment," Jim Press, Chrysler LLC Vice Chairman and President, said. "There are many changes taking place that give us at the new Chrysler cause for optimism. In the short term, our 2009 model year vehicles with value packages will soon be arriving in dealerships, and our August incentive packages are the best deals of the year, helping to make owning as affordable as leasing. Within the product lineup, our leadership in minivans is well-timed as consumers look for fuel-efficient alternatives to larger SUVs. Two new fuel-saving hybrid SUVs, the Dodge Durango and Chrysler Aspen, will be soon hitting the streets. The Dodge Journey and Jeep Patriot are gaining more customers on the appeal of fuel efficiency and affordability. And the success of cars like the Dodge Avenger, Charger and Challenger shows that customers still want their cars to stand out from the crowd. Lastly, this fall we come to market with our best new pickup truck ever -- the 2009 Dodge Ram."
July Highlights
The Chrysler Town & Country posted a 24 percent increase with 8,070 sales versus July 2007 sales of 6,513 units. With room for seven passengers, and the industry-exclusive Swivel 'n Go(TM) seating system, the Chrysler Town & Country could be considered as a fuel-efficient alternative to a full-sized SUV. Town & Country sales in July helped drive total minivan sales up 5 percent. Total long-wheel-base minivan retail sales increased 21 percent in July.
The Jeep(R) Patriot continues to gain traction in the market, offering excellent fuel economy, interior flexibility and utility at a great value. Total sales of 3,451 were up 4 percent versus last year due to consumer interest in the company's most fuel-efficient vehicles. Additionally, Jeep Patriot 2008 year-to-date sales increased 119 percent, with 40,135 total sales when compared with July 2007 year-to-date sales of 18,286 units.
Response to sales promotions of the Dodge Ram helped lesson the impact of slow pickup truck demand. Dodge Ram pickup sales were down 27 percent (21,328 units) versus 2007 sales of 29,312, but sales increased 32 percent when compared with June 2008 sales of 16,149 units.
The Dodge Avenger sedan continued with good performance with 4,318 units sold, up 2 percent when compared with July 2007 sales of 4,213.
The highly anticipated all-new Dodge Challenger SRT8(R) hit the streets in July with excitement and solid sales results (2,895 units sold). The return of the iconic Dodge Challenger combines unmistakable design cues reminiscent of the original Challenger with world-class performance making it the hottest vehicle on the streets this summer. In total, 3,990 Dodge Challengers have been delivered to customers.
The Company finished the month with 409,331 units of inventory, or a 108-day supply. As part of a planned reduction in manufacturing and capacity, inventory is down 12 percent compared with July 2007 when it totaled 464,875 units.
Chrysler LLC U.S. Sales Summary Thru July 2008
Month Sales Vol %
Model Curr Yr Pr Yr Change
Sebring 3,816 5,515 -31%
300 3,818 9,009 -58%
Crossfire 197 1,165 -83%
PT Cruiser 3,297 7,113 -54%
Aspen 1,213 2,216 -45%
Pacifica 447 3,100 -86%
Town & Country 8,070 6,513 24%
CHRYSLER BRAND 20,858 34,631 -40%
Compass 1,401 2,591 -46%
Patriot 3,451 3,317 4%
Wrangler 6,093 8,829 -31%
Liberty 3,766 6,534 -42%
Grand Cherokee 5,239 10,101 -48%
Commander 2,755 5,983 -54%
JEEP BRAND 22,705 37,355 -39%
Caliber 4,807 5,305 -9%
Avenger 4,318 4,213 2%
Charger 5,475 6,407 -15%
Challenger 2,895 0 0%
Viper 88 74 19%
Magnum 345 1,639 -79%
Dakota 2,593 3,413 -24%
Ram P/U 21,328 29,312 -27%
Journey 3,449 0 0%
Caravan 6,115 6,945 -12%
Durango 384 2,472 -84%
Nitro 1,651 4,602 -64%
Sprinter 1,098 1,360 -19%
DODGE BRAND 54,546 65,742 -17%
TOTAL CHRYSLER LLC 98,109 137,728 -29%
TOTAL CAR 25,839 34,680 -25%
TOTAL TRUCK 72,270 103,048 -30%
Chrysler LLC U.S. Sales Summary Thru July 2008
Sales CYTD Vol %
Model Curr Yr Pr Yr Change
Sebring 51,838 54,561 -5%
300 43,832 72,004 -39%
Crossfire 1,291 7,417 -83%
PT Cruiser36,127 60,305 -40%
Aspen 14,446 14,994 -4%
Pacifica 4,642 35,463 -87%
Town & Country 75,876 81,615 -7%
CHRYSLER BRAND 228,052 326,359 -30%
Compass 19,794 24,796 -20%
Patriot 40,135 18,286 119%
Wrangler 52,536 74,480 -29%
Liberty 44,676 56,648 -21%
Grand Cherokee 48,032 70,562 -32%
Commander 19,068 39,725 -52%
JEEP BRAND 224,241 284,497 -21%
Caliber 63,918 64,684 -1%
Avenger 45,771 44,841 2%
Charger 64,000 72,379 -12%
Challenger 3,990 0 0%
Viper 682 323 111%
Magnum 6,594 17,627 -63%
Dakota 19,972 32,568 -39%
Ram P/U 150,272 214,569 -30%
Journey 26,180 0 0%
Caravan 81,920 110,507 -26%
Durango 15,293 31,377 -51%
Nitro 25,549 41,814 -39%
Sprinter 9,501 7,798 22%
DODGE BRAND 513,642 639,965 -20%
TOTAL CHRYSLER LLC 965,935 1,250,821 -23%
TOTAL CAR 282,986 343,887 -18%
TOTAL TRUCK 682,949 906,934 -25%
Source: Chrysler LLC
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