Chrysler’s U.S. sales rose 33% in May from a year ago and exceeded 100,000 for the first time in 14 months as small and midsize vehicle and minivans sold particularly well. The Auburn Hills automaker achieved the increase while continuing to reduce spending on rebates, low-interest loans and discounted leases. Chrysler’s incentive costs declined to $3,115 per vehicle in May, nearly $1,000 less than it spent a year earlier when it was going through a 41-day bankruptcy reorganization.
The sharpest increases were for among small crossovers such as Jeep Compass (up 154%) and Dodge Caliber (up 150%), midsize models such as Dodge Avenger (up 152%) and the fullsize Dodge Charger (up 136%) also were strong.
Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Caravan minivans registered increases of 68% and 66%, respectively. Light trucks, which include pickup trucks, SUVs and minivans accounted for 68% of Chrysler’s total sales, while cars were 32%.
While some of May’s sales were to rental companies, corporations and government agencies, Steve Beahm, vice president of sales operations, said Chrysler’s fleet sales were “in line with” most of its competitors.
Chrysler ended the month with 196,000 vehicles in inventory, or 49 days’ supply, down from 236,000 vehicles, or 86 days’ supply in May 2009, Beahm
