Chrysler Group has achieved record new car sales in 2006 with more than 20,000 cars sold for the first time in the UK.

The Chrysler 300C has proved to be the most significant success with more than 2,000 registrations. The Voyager range has also had one of its best ever years in the UK selling more than 5,300 units.

For the Jeep brand the Grand Cherokee has been the big seller, with sales up 45% on 2005.

Peter Lambert, managing director of Chrysler Group, said: "When Chrysler launched in the UK in 1993 with just the Jeep Cherokee and Wrangler it sold 3,914 vehicles. Since then sales have gone from strength to strength and the UK is now the second biggest market for Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge models in Europe.

"Driving through the 20,000 sales milestone for the first time is a significant achievement for our dealer network. 2006 was a challenging year for car sales across the UK, but the launch of six new cars has helped us buck this trend. We are one of only a handful of brands that have grown in the last 12 months with sales up 38 per cent compared to 2005.

"We are expecting an even bigger year for Chrysler Group in 2007 with seven new vehicles due to be launched."