CHICAGO, April 1, 2008 (AFP) - Chrysler LLC said Tuesday soft economic conditions along with reduced sales to rental fleets pushed US sales for March down 19 percent from a year ago.

'We are in a period where the public hears news about the economy every day and it is clearly having an impact on our industry,' said Chrysler vice chairman and president Jim Press.

'Chrysler's strategy to right-size our operations, increase fuel efficiency and reduce daily rental fleet sales will help us get through this period as a stronger company with healthier dealers.'

The number three US-based carmaker, which was bought by private equity investors last year, reported it delivered 166,386 vehicles in the month.

The company, which owns the Jeep nameplate, said the slide reflected 'a sustained and planned reduction in daily-rental fleet vehicle sales and an industry-wide slowdown in large pickup truck and SUV sales.'