2nd best sales quarter in Jeep history

DaimlerChrysler must be doing something right with the Jeep brand -they just posted the 2nd best sales quarter ever! Up 19% over lastyear's 1st quarter. March, 2004 sales improved 5% over March,2003.  From the official press release:

Jeep(R) brand sales increased 19 percent during the first quarter to112,245 units, posting the second best quarter in the history of theJeep brand. For March 2004, Jeep sales increased 5 percent to 39,967units, compared to sales of 38,222 units for March 2003. Jeep Wranglercontinued its sales ascent by posting a sales record of 8,044 units, anincrease of 46 percent compared to March 2003, when 5,497 units weresold. Jeep Liberty also achieved a monthly sales record of 14,818units, compared to March 2003 when 14,760 units were sold.

                        DaimlerChrysler Corporation
                    U.S. Sales Summary Thru March 2004
                    Month Sales       DR %        Sales CYTD        DR %
    Model        Curr Yr    Pr Yr    Change    Curr Yr    Pr Yr    Change
Wrangler          8,044     5,497      46%      20,395   13,227     52%
Liberty          14,818    14,760       0%      42,951   37,205     14%
Grand Cherokee   17,105    17,965      -5%      48,899   42,521     13%
JEEP BRAND       39,967    38,222       5%     112,245   92,953     19%

From the data, Wrangler sales are way up - 46% over 1st quarter last year, and 52% over March, 2003. This can probably be attributed to demand for the Wrangler Unlimited and continued strong sales for the Rubicon.