CHRYSLER Jeep UK is looking to increase sales by 15-20% this year as the business continues to expand despite dramatic job losses and factory closures in the United States of America. Two weeks ago DaimlerChrysler announced job losses totalling 26,000 over the next three years in its Chrysler subsidiary and the closure of six plants in the USA over the next two years in a bid to regain competitiveness and profitability.

In the light of these decisions, full details will be announced at the company's annual conference on Monday, February 26. Chrysler Jeep UK director Simon Elliott told Fleet NewsNet that DaimlerChrysler was looking to all the European countries to closely examine their own costs and make revenue improvements. He added: 'I have written to all the dealers and our own headquarters staff in Milton Keynes to reassure them that there will be no job losses at Chrysler Jeep UK as a result of the actions being taken in the USA. I have also told them that our parent company is not looking for us to lose jobs.'

Last year Chrysler Jeep sold 16,500 vehicles in the UK and this year, with the launch of new Voyager, new Jeep Cherokee and a full year's supply of PT Cruiser, the company is looking to increase sales by 15-20%. Elliott remains confident that Chrysler will look to further increase UK sales by signalling the go-ahead for the conversion of more models to right-hand drive.