Chrysler reports strong April sales

(MoneyWatch) Chrysler Group reported its best April sales results since 2008, up 20 percent from a year earlier. Total April sales for the company were 141,165 units, with Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Ram Truck and Fiat all showing sizable gains.

The redesigned Jeep Grand Cherokee had its best April sales in seven years, the company said. The Jeep Wrangler and Dodge Challenger muscle car also set new sales records for April. Sales for the Chrysler brand rose 56 percent over a year earlier.

This was the 11th straight month of sales gains of 20 percent or more as Chrysler bounces back from its government bailout after its takeover by Fiat. The company did not immediately discuss its market share, but it was expected to rise above 11.5 percent this April versus 10.2 percent a year ago.

As other auto makers prepare to report their numbers, total April sales of cars, SUVs, vans and pickups are expected to be down from March -- a regular seasonal trend -- but up 2 percent or more from April a year ago.

"The momentum built by the recovering economy and compelling product choices in the first quarter continued to fuel new vehicle sales in April," says Jesse Toprak, vice president of market intelligence at TrueCar.com. "Consumer demand for the smaller, fuel-efficient vehicles remains strong while the SUV and truck categories are not seeing any dramatic drop in sales."