Whereas FoMoCo and General Motors managed to keep their loses under 35 percent, Chrysler LLC took another plunge in April reporting U.S. sales of just 76,682 units, representing a chilling 48 percent decrease versus 2008. Chrysler said that the April sales included a fleet reduction of 66 percent year-over-year for the same period, as the company “continues to emphasize retail over fleet.” Brand-wise, Chrsyler suffered the biggest loss with a 55 percent decrease followed by Dodge with -48 percent and Jeep with a 42 percent decline over the same month in 2008.

As for the few positive highlights of the month, Jeep Wrangler sales increased 7 percent year-over-year compared to April 2008, sales of the Dodge Challenger were up 11 percent compared to March and Chrysler Town & Country retail sales increased 6 percent over the previous month.