Chrysler World Sales Up 6.6 Pct. in '06

Associated Press | FORBES - - DaimlerChrysler AG's Chrysler Group said Thursday that sales in non-U.S. markets increased 6.6 percent in 2006 on strong sales of new vehicles such as the Dodge Caliber and Jeep Compass.

The Auburn Hills, Mich.-based arm of the German-American automaker said it sold 555,924 vehicles outside of the U.S. last year. Sales rose 15 percent outside North America to nearly 207,000 units, while sales in Mexico grew by 3.3 percent and sales of DaimlerChrysler (nyse: DCX - news - people ) Canada rose 1.7 percent on five consecutive months of sales growth.

Sales in the United States dropped 7 percent during 2006 to roughly 2.14 million units.