Chrysler Group's Global Alliance Strategy Builds on Solid Sales Momentum in Canada, Mexico and International Markets
04 Janvier 2007 - 2:54PM
PR Newswire (US)
* Sales in non-U.S. markets increase 6.6 percent in 2006 * Sales
outside North America up 15; Mexico up 3.3; Canada up 1.7 percent *
New products such as Dodge Caliber and Jeep Compass help propel
sales gains in global markets * Chrysler Group to double
international growth in next five years * Memorandum of
Understanding signed between Chrysler Group and China Motor Corp.
to market Taiwan-built cargo van in Mexico * China production of
new Chrysler Sebring sedan for local market to begin later this
year AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Jan. 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Coming
off consistent sales growth in global markets during 2006, the
Chrysler Group announced that its global alliance strategy will
enable it to bring a Taiwan- built cargo van to the Mexican market
and launch production of the new Chrysler Sebring sedan in China
for the local market. The announcements come just a week after the
Chrysler Group confirmed a letter of intent for China's Chery
Automobile Co. to produce small vehicles that the Chrysler Group
will market in the NAFTA region, European regions and possibly
other global markets. In 2006, the Chrysler Group sold 555,924
vehicles outside of the U.S., an increase of 6.6 percent compared
to 2005. Those figures include an increase of 1.7 percent in
Canada, 3.3 percent in Mexico, and 15 percent outside of North
America. Sales were boosted by the worldwide appeal of new products
launched during 2006, including the Dodge Caliber and Jeep Compass.
"When you look at the global nature of the competitive scene,
international initiatives will be critical to Chrysler Group's
success in the years ahead," said Chrysler Group President and CEO
Tom LaSorda. "We have a solid plan for sustainable, profitable
international growth and the results so far provide a clear sign
that the strategy is working. In the next five year period, a plan
to double where we are today outside North America would be
reasonable." 2006 Global Sales Results Chrysler Group worldwide
vehicle sales decreased by 4.5 percent in 2006, to a total of
2,698,429 units (2005: 2,826,131 units). In the United States, the
world's most competitive automotive market, sales declined 7
percent to 2,142,505 units (2005: 2,304,833 units). Sales closed
with momentum in the final quarter of 2006, as customers responded
favorably to the launch of a majority of the company's 10 all-new
products for 2006. Against the overall market performance, the
Chrysler Group posted sales of 190,415 units in December. This is
an increase of 1 percent on an unadjusted basis compared to
December 2005, when the company sold 189,449 units. On an adjusted
basis, Chrysler Group U.S. sales was up by 4 percent.
DaimlerChrysler Canada ended 2006 with five consecutive months of
sales growth, and sales increased 1.7 percent for the year,
totaling 220,553 units (2005: 216,857 units) and DaimlerChrysler
remained the second-largest seller of vehicles in Canada. Growth
was driven by a combination of new and existing models. Sales in
Mexico rose by 3.3 percent to 128,446 units (2005: 124,353 units).
Products sold under the Chrysler, Jeep(R) and Dodge brands posted
significant sales gains during 2006 as the company continues to
make headway with Mexican customers in key segments. 2006 was the
second-best year in the last 10 years for Chrysler Group's
International sales as the company experienced a 15 percent
increase to 206,925 units (2005: 180,088 units) based upon the
strength of new product launches during 2006. European sales, which
account for a little more than half of the Chrysler Group's sales
outside North America, increased 20 percent to 110,599 units. The
year closed with a record 19 consecutive months of year- over-year
sales gains. Cargo Van for Mexico "The opportunities outside the
U.S. are becoming more and more important," said Chrysler Group
President and CEO Tom LaSorda. "These opportunities involve new
markets, new segments, new potential alliance partners and new
sources for components." LaSorda said the Chrysler Group's global
strategy builds on the company's historic strengths, including the
ability to respond rapidly and creatively to emerging
opportunities. Forging strategic alliances is a cornerstone of the
strategy. The Chrysler Group has signed a Memorandum of
Understanding with China Motor Corp. (CMC) to export a cargo van to
Mexico. CMC will produce this vehicle at its assembly facility in
Yangmei, Taiwan. The 1000Kg panel/cargo van built in Taiwan will be
exported to the Mexican market where it will be sold as a Dodge
vehicle. CMC is a long-term partner with DaimlerChrysler. CMC
produces the Chrysler Town and Country minivan in Taiwan, via
license, for the Taiwan market. The Chrysler Group also will
produce a Chinese-market minivan via license with CMC and Fujian
Motor Group in Fuzhou. Launch of Chrysler Sebring in China
Production of the new Chrysler Sebring sedan for the China market
will begin later this year in Beijing at Beijing-Benz
DaimlerChrysler Automotive Co. (BBDC). BBDC is a joint venture
between the Beijing Automotive Industry Holding Co. Ltd. and
DaimlerChrysler. Production of the Sebring leverages assembly
capacity at the new BBDC plant, which also builds the Chrysler
300C, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class and Mitsubishi Outlander.
Four-cylinder World Engines for the Sebring will be built at the
Global Engine Manufacturing Alliance (GEMA) plant in Dundee, Mich.
for export to China. GEMA is a joint venture of DaimlerChrysler,
Mitsubishi Motors Corp. and Hyundai Motor Co. Global Business
Opportunities Global partnerships and ventures are part of the
Chrysler Group's aggressive drive to create new business models
that make sense for today's global automotive environment. The
agreement with Chery -- which is dependent on approval by the
DaimlerChrysler Supervisory Board and Chinese government -- also
illustrates the alliance strategy. The partnership allows the
Chrysler Group to bring a low-margin subcompact car to market fast,
meet targets for low cost and high quality, with minimal capital
investment. Another example of the Chrysler Group's alliance
strategy is a licensing agreement, reached last year, which allows
Russian automaker GAZ to build the previous-generation Chrysler
Sebring and Dodge Stratus sedans for sale in Russia under the GAZ
brand. As part of the deal, GAZ purchased manufacturing tooling
from Chrysler Group's Sterling Heights (Mich.) Assembly Plant where
the sedans had previously been built, enabling the Chrysler Group
to maximize its assets. Engines for the sedans and other vehicles
being built by GAZ will be supplied by the Chrysler Group plant in
Saltillo, Mexico. DATASOURCE: Chrysler Group CONTACT: Lori
McTavish, +1-248-512-2642, , or Mike Aberlich, +1-248-512-2704, ,
both of Chrysler Group Web site:
http://www.media.daimlerchrysler.com/
http://www.daimlerchrysler.com/
Copyright