Mercedes 1998 Annual Report Download - page 36

CHRYSLER, PLYMOUTH, JEEP, DOGDE
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The Jeep® Grand Cherokee: with the
best off-road qualities – and a great
role-model for luxurious sport-utility
vehicles for all leisure activities.
MORE THAN 3 MILLION VEHICLES SOLD WORLDWIDE IN 1998.
U.S. sales (shipments) reached 2,548,900 vehicles in 1998.
These were 10% ahead of 1997’s total of 2,312,400 units. Truck
sales, including minivans and sport-utility vehicles, rose to
1,784,000 units, a 9% increase over 1997. Within this category,
sport-utility vehicles accounted for 626,800 units, a 20%
increase over 1997. Car sales reached 764,900 vehicles, a 12%
increase over 1997.
In Canada, sales (shipments) totaled 261,800 vehicles, a
decrease of 2% compared to 1997. Truck sales in 1998 were
174,500 units, a 3% decrease compared to 1997. Car sales
reached 87,300 in 1998, up 1%. In Mexico, the brands reported
overall sales of 94,800 vehicles, up 34% from 70,900 in 1997.
Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge brand sales (shipments) outside
North America were 188,200, down 21% from 1997, which had
been a record year internationally for these brands. Chrysler
minivans were the brands’ biggest seller outside of North
America, accounting for 34% of international sales. The Jeep
Cherokee accounted for 18% of sales outside North America;
the Jeep Grand Cherokee also for 18% of international sales.
CHRYSLER BRAND SUCCESSFUL WITH NEW MODELS. Positioned
as a near-luxury marque, the Chrysler brand continues to build
upon its reputation in the industry. In 1998, Chrysler launched
the LHS and all-new 300M both to critical acclaim. The 300M,
designed for sale in North America and export to international
markets, was named Motor Trend magazine’s “Car of the Year”,
and has also been well received by the European media and
customers.
At the North American International Auto Show in Detroit in
January 1999, the brand introduced the 2001 Chrysler PT
Cruiser. Described as a flexible-activity vehicle, the new design
blends characteristics of cars, trucks, minivans and sport-
utility vehicles to create an all-new car segment in America.
The prefix “PT”, meaning “personal transportation”, reflects
the vehicle’s versatility for each individual owner.
Left- and right-hand-drive versions will be produced at
DaimlerChrysler’s assembly plant in Toluca, Mexico, with
sales starting in early 2000.
PLYMOUTH REPRESENTS FUN, VALUE. The Plymouth brand,
which celebrated its 70th anniversary in 1998, continues to
serve as an affordable entry-level brand for customers. The
2000 Plymouth Neon compact car was unveiled in December
1998 in Los Angeles. The new Neon, which went on sale in the
first quarter of 1999, combines a high degree of functionality
with a fun driving experience. The Plymouth Prowler remains
an image-enhancing car for the brand. This unique roadster
is available in red, black, bright yellow, as well as in the
original purple.
JEEP VEHICLES’ POPULARITY CONTINUES TO GROW. The all-new
Jeep Grand Cherokee was among the DaimlerChrysler vehicles
introduced to great reviews in1998. The 1999 Grand Cherokee
received the “4x4 of the Year” award from Petersen’s “4-Wheel
& Off-Road magazine” and “Four Wheeler of the Year” from
“Four Wheeler magazine”. It also was named the 1999 North
American Truck of the Year at the North American Interna-
tional Auto Show in Detroit.
The Jeep brand is on the forefront of customer relationship
marketing. After “inventing” customer loyalty programs with
the original Rubicon Trail Jeep Jamboree 45 years ago, the Jeep
brand created Camp Jeep in 1995, a three-day action-packed
family event exclusively designed for Jeep owners and their
active lifestyles. The 1999 Camp Jeep will be held in Virginia at
Walton’s Mountain near the Wintergreen Resort.