Chrysler chief optimistic on sales gains, but summer may be 'challenging'

Bryce G. Hoffman The Detroit News Comments Chelsea — Chrysler Group LLC’s U.S. sales chief said he is “optimistic” that the company will report its 39th consecutive month of year-over-year sales gains when the June numbers are tallied next week, but he acknowledged that the rest of the summer will be “challenging” because of delays bringing the new Jeep Cherokee to market. “(That) has really hurt us,” said Reid Bigland during a press event here Friday, noting that the loss of the Jeep Liberty is costing the Jeep brand 7,000 to 8,000 sales each month. Liberty production was halted in August of last year to make way for its replacement, the all-new Cherokee. The new mid-sized sport utility...