Chrysler sales surge 13 percent in March

DETROIT (AP) — Chrysler's U.S. sales jumped 13 percent in March, helped by strong sales of the new Jeep Cherokee and the Ram pickup.

Jeep brand sales were up 47 percent, largely due to the Cherokee, which went on sale last fall. Sales of its bigger sibling, the Jeep Grand Cherokee, were up 26 percent. And Chrysler's best-seller, the Ram truck, was up 26 percent to 42,532.

Chrysler's minivan sales were also up. Minivan sales usually rise in the spring, as families plan for summer road trips. Dodge Caravan sales jumped 27 percent to 14,165.

Chrysler's results were likely to far exceed the industry average. Analysts are expecting sales to rise around 2 percent in March compared with the same month a year ago.