In order to turn back to the mainstream auto market, Chrysler plans to have 75% of its models renewed or upgraded by the end of 2010, including 16 new models. These models will be of vital importance for Chrysler's recovery plan.
2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee
In the first half of this year, Chrysler's sales in the U.S. market gained 35%, two times higher than the industry average. In June, sales of the automaker's Dodge brand jumped 100%, a big snapback compared with the same period in 2009 when the automaker was under heavy pressure to restructure after accepting its own $4 billion loan from the U.S. government.
However, Chrysler says it is only half the battle, aiming to gain a bigger success in another market: China, which is now the world's largest auto market. The automaker says if it does not make its return trip to the Chinese market and find itself a place there, then the "return" does not count.
This year to date, Chrysler China sales have reached 11,000 units, up 40% from a year earlier. However, Chrysler, together with Fiat, is still the only foreign automaker in the country that has not started local production yet. Well, the time has come now, Chrysler said recently.
Chrysler expects its China sales to double to 20,000 units this year, Kean Zhe, CEO of Chrysler Asia-Pacific Operations said. SUVs only have a proportion of 8% in China's private car market, while the number in the U.S. market is already 30%, so there is still a substantial potential here, and Chrysler will take the chance to win the turnover battle with its Jeep SUVs, Kean Zhe added.
