Compared with September, October sales rose from 7,068 to 7,535 units, which represents an increase of 7 percent and a decrease of 22 percent from October 2008.

Sales success was led by the Jeep® Patriot, Jeep Compass, Jeep Wrangler, Chrysler Town & Country, and Dodge Avenger, all of which achieved the highest monthly sales for the year.

The Dodge Journey continues to be the No. 1 selling crossover vehicle in the market with sales of more than double its nearest competitor. Meanwhile, the Dodge Ram and Dodge Dakota continue to be the hottest-selling trucks in the Mexican market with year-to-date market share of 27.5 percent.

Regional sales

The Western and Central European regions sold 3,743 vehicles, a 27 percent decrease from October 2008. Italy led the region with 683 sold vehicles.

In Latin America, the Chrysler Group sold 3,626 vehicles, an increase of 22 percent compared with the previous month and down 3 percent versus the previous year. Venezuela led the region with sales of 1,354 units.

The Chrysler Group sold 2,665 vehicles in the Asia Pacific region, with 1,452 of those sales coming from China, the most of any country outside North America. For the region, October sales are up 32 percent compared with the previous month and down 4 percent compared with the prior year.

Combined sales in Africa, Middle East, Eastern Europe and Russia reached 2,220 units, an increase of 8 percent from the previous month. Compared with October 2008, vehicle sales decreased 22 percent.

Brand sales

The Jeep® brand sold 6,097 outside of North America, an increase of 21 percent compared with the previous month. The Jeep® Grand Cherokee led the brand with 1,557 vehicle sales.

The Dodge Car brand sold 4,261 vehicles. The Dodge Journey led the brand for the fourth consecutive month with 1,409 units.

The Chrysler brand sold 2,134 vehicles. The Chrysler Grand Voyager led the brand with 673 units sold.

The Ram Truck brand sold 250 vehicles. Ram trucks are available only in select markets outside of North America.

“New vehicle industry sales in Canada have steadily improved through the second half of 2009,” Reid Bigland, President and CEO—Chrysler Canada, said. “We’re very pleased with the part our vehicles have played in this rebound, as our home-grown minivans and the Dodge Journey have proven to have real ’staying power.’”

October sales highlights

Canada’s No. 1-selling crossover, the Dodge Journey, posted its highest results of the year with sales of 1,922 units. This represented an increase of 83 percent compared with October 2008 (2008: 1,050 units).

The Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country reported combined sales of 3,930, up 21 percent from last year, and capturing nearly three-quarters of the Canadian minivan segment.

Sales of the Brampton, Ontario-built Dodge Charger grew to 868 units, up 167 percent compared with 2008 and leading the Charger to its best October ever.

Light duty Dodge Ram pickup sales were up 7 percent (2,123 units) vs. last year.

November incentive program

Chrysler Canada announced the launch of “Canada’s Choice,” an innovative program that allows Canadians to create the incentive package that best meets their needs.

“We call this program ‘Canada’s Choice’ not only because it offers such a wide range of incentive components for consumers, but also because it is available on some of the ‘choicest’ products in the country,” Dave Buckingham, Vice President of Sales—Chrysler Canada, said. “Buyers can select the items they want on the Dodge Grand Caravan – Canada’s No. 1 selling minivan for 25 years; the Ram 1500—Automobile Journalists Association of Canada 2009 Pickup Truck of the Year; or the Dodge Journey—Canada’s No. 1 selling crossover.”

The following elements make up Canada’s Choice:

Canadians can customize their vehicle with up to $1,500 in factory-tested and -engineered Mopar® accessories, including portable navigation systems; body kits; running boards; cargo organizers; performance parts; winter wheels and tires; or any of the other 5,000 available Mopar parts and accessories.

Customers can opt for one of the many available extended service plans, providing added convenience through no-charge maintenance packages or an extended warranty.

Customers can select from a number of no-charge options including some of the newest and most innovative technologies such as RamBox™, Stow ’n Go® or Swivel ’n Go™, uconnect® tunes GPS, heated seats, leather interior, power sunroof, upgraded engines, or many other comfort, convenience, and performance options.

Or finally, customers can select a bonus cash rebate.

Canada’s Choice is in addition to all other retail offers including consumer cash discounts and low financing rates.

The award recognizes the Chrysler Group’s extraordinary commitment to supply chain diversity and the development of Canadian Aboriginal and minority-owned businesses. Over the past several years, the Chrysler Group has increased its procurement to aboriginal and visible minority-owned businesses in Canada to more than $464 million (U.S.). This was accomplished by exposing these suppliers to a range of Chrysler Group programs—including the Matchmaker event—that are designed to connect minority suppliers directly with the Chrysler Group’s procurement, engineering and marketing organizations, as well as with its tier-one supplier community.

“Chrysler Canada is honored to be named Corporation of the Year by the CAMSC for our company’s commitment to minority and aboriginal suppliers,” Reid Bigland, President and CEO, Chrysler Canada, said. “This recognition truly reflects the depth of Chrysler Group’s commitment to our customers and communities in Canada.”

Kevin Bell, Senior Manager—Diversity Supplier Development, said: “The Chrysler Group has worked for many years to build and strengthen our minority supply base. The Chrysler Group has and will continue to create opportunities for Canadian aboriginal and minority-owned suppliers in Canada because these businesses are often the most nimble, innovative and resilient in confronting the challenges and opportunities of today’s global automotive marketplace.”

The Chrysler Group accepted the award at the organization’s Annual Business Achievement Awards Dinner held in Toronto Tuesday night. The awards dinner is the group’s premier fund-raising event to support the delivery of programs to promote and facilitate aboriginal and minority economic development through access to purchasing opportunities with corporations.

“Diversity and inclusivity are critical components to the success of corporate Canada, both for work force retention and growth, as well as supply chain renewal and innovation,” Orrin Benn, President of the Canadian Aboriginal Minority Supplier Council. “We are inspired by the efforts of companies like the Chrysler Group that stay true to their values in challenging times that the pursuit of supplier diversity is invaluable to our mutual economic future.”

“Mopar gives customers the opportunity to further enhance the performance and appearance of their Chrysler, Jeep or Dodge vehicle,” said Pietro Gorlier, President and Chief Executive Officer – Mopar Service, Parts and Customer Care. “At Mopar, we offer more than 160 proven, quality-tested performance parts and accessories for our Jeep Liberty customers.”

“Moparized” Jeep Liberty
The “Moparized” Jeep Liberty on display in Frankfurt is equipped with chromed mirror covers and 18-inch polished aluminum rims. Other features include a chromed fuel-filler cap and tubular side steps that double as easy entry points. As a final touch, upper and lower portions of the Jeep brand’s iconic seven-slot grille are upgraded to chromed mesh.

Capability and Performance from Mopar
In addition to chromed accents, Mopar offers a vast selection of performance parts and accessories to further enhance the capability and performance of Jeep Liberty. These performance parts and accessories include everything from cat-back exhaust systems to roof racks for hauling outdoor equipment.

Customers who want to customize their Jeep Liberty may order and have their Mopar parts and accessories installed at the dealership. They may also be installed at the factory.

Jeep Liberty Chromed Accessories and Performance Parts:

Part#                            Item                                                                   MSRP
82211959                   Chromed Upper Mesh Grille                   $479
82211960                   Chromed Lower Mesh Grille                   $155
82211248                   18-inch Polished Aluminum Wheels    $252
82210803                  Chromed Mirror Covers                            $107
82211259                   Chromed Tubular Side Steps                    $587
82211021AB             Chromed Fuel-filler Door                          $93
P5155035                  Cat-back Exhaust System                          $878

Jeep Liberty
The 2010 Jeep Liberty features the industry-exclusive Sky Slider full-length open canvas roof. The Sky Slider Roof may be moved to several positions, including full forward, full rear or partially open to any position in between with a convenient express one-touch switch.

Chromed Appearance
The “Moparized” Jeep Wrangler Unlimited features chromed mirror covers and brushed stainless steel door sills–popular accents that hold true to the appearance theme. At the rear of the Mopar-outfitted Jeep Wrangler Unlimited, a chromed fuel-filler cap and an upgraded chromed exhaust tip sparkle even in the worst weather and off-road conditions. In addition, tubular side steps double as easy entry points. Further, Mopar’s18-inch chromed aluminum wheels are added to enhance the appearance. Finishing off the iconic Jeep Wrangler Unlimited, the historical seven-slot grille is upgraded to a chromed grill.

Ultimate Capability, Performance Parts from Mopar
In addition to chromed accents, Mopar offers a vast selection of parts and accessories to further enhance the capability and performance of Jeep Wrangler. These parts and accessories include lift kits, upgraded axles, rock protection, cold-air intake kits and cat-back exhaust systems.

Whether it’s chromed accents or lift kits, new Jeep Wrangler customers spend approximately $325 on Mopar parts and accessories in order to customize their new vehicle. To meet the demand of customer individuality, these parts and a variety of others may be ordered and installed at the dealership. They may also be installed at the factory.

“Right after Dodge Ram, Jeep Wrangler is our most accessorized vehicle,” said Pietro Gorlier, President and Chief Executive Officer – Mopar Service, Parts and Customer Care. “From chromed parts to axle kits, we offer our Jeep Wrangler owners hundreds of parts and accessories from which to choose.”

Frankfurt “Moparized” Jeep Wrangler Unlimited

Part#                      Item                                                                   MSRP
82210469            Chromed Mirror Covers                            $121
82210558AC      Chromed Front Grille                                 $327
82210564AC      Chromed Tubular Side Steps                   $583
82210268            Chromed Taillamp Guards                       $183
82208439AB      Chromed Exhaust Tip                                $54
82210608            Chromed Fuel Filler Cap                           $165
82210142             Brushed Stainless Steel Door Sills         $111
82210001           18-inch Chromed Aluminum Wheel      $411

According to the wireservice, Fiat made cars with average emissions of 138 grams of carbon dioxide per kilometer, while PSA Peugeot Citroen’s cars averaged 139 grams of CO2, followed by Renault SA, whose autos emitted an average 143 grams, the Brussels- based environmental group said today in its fourth annual report since 2006.

Overall, carmakers reduced emissions by 3.3 percent to 159 grams of CO2 per kilometer in 2008, short of a voluntary industry commitment to cut average emissions to 140 grams last year, the story said. 

Stuttgart, Germany-based Daimler AG, the world’s second- largest maker of luxury cars, and Nissan Motor Co., Japan’s third-largest automaker, made the least environmentally friendly cars, according to the study. Daimler-built cars produced an average of 175 grams of CO2 per kilometer, while Nissan’s cars averaged 161 grams. (Bloomberg)

The Detroit Free Press reports that the seven-passenger Grand C-Max minivan will be a key part of Ford’s growing compact family.  The Grand C-Max will use a four-cylinder engine with Ford’s Ecoboost combination of turbocharging and direct fuel injection to boost fuel economy about 20% versus a conventional engine, Ford of Europe chairman John Fleming said and the paper reported.

While the Grand C-Max’s accommodations for seven passengers and sliding doors may appeal to American families looking to combine maximum kid-carrying and minimum fuel bills, Ford has no plans to bring the five-passenger C-Max minivan it sells in Europe to the United States, the story said.

Over the next three years, Ford will use the new Focus’ underpinnings to launch a new lineup of small hatchbacks, minivans, sedans and coupes that it hopes will fetch two million sales a year. (The Detroit Free Press)

According to the story, the show will be the first major automotive event since:

• GM and Chrysler went through bankruptcy

• Italy’s Fiat gained control of Chrysler

• GM and the German government spent months wrestling over Opel, long the critical piece of GM Europe

• Volkswagen acquired Porsche in a bitter financial feud

The massive Frankfurt show has downsized as the global economy faltered this year, the story says. Several automakers have pulled out of the show, and some buildings usually filled with expensive displays, executives and new vehicles will sit vacant, the Free Press reports.

According to the Free Press, nearly two dozen new vehicles bound for the United States will be unveiled at the show. That includes everything from a preview of Buick’s upcoming compact sedan to a sporty compact from Lexus, a little BMW SUV, Mini’s first sport coupe and the plug-in version of Toyota’s Prius hybrid.  (The Detroit Free Press)