Chrysler US sales plunge 34 per cent in August

WASHINGTON: Chrysler LLC reported on Wednesday a 34 percent slide in US August sales, citing "an industrywide slowdown, segment shifts and reduced fleet sales."

The number-three US automaker, spun off last year to a private equity firm from German maker Daimler, said it sold 110,235 new cars and light trucks in the month under the Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep nameplates.

Despite the weakness, the number was up 12 percent from July, helped by dicounted financing and other incentives, the company said.

"The industry is changing rapidly in terms of what vehicles and features customers want and the leasing and financing options available to them," Jim Press, Chrysler LLC vice chairman and president, said. "To help consumers, we are offering some of our most popular vehicles at significant savings."

Chrysler said it was extending its promotions of up to 40 percent off normal retail price on select vehicles, and zero percent financing for some sport utility vehicles and trucks.