If you're thinking about purchasing a 2009 Chrysler, Jeep, or Dodge vehicle, you may spend more than you anticipated.  Chrysler's announced a series of price increases for its entire 2009 lineup.

Chrysler will be raising the prices on its 2009 model vehicles by an average of $500, and its shipping charge by $50. Interestingly, prices don't affect 2009 vehicles either already ordered or those already delivered to dealerships.

Chrysler is far from unique in this move. General Motors raised its average sticker price by $790, while Ford prices grew by approximately $712. These changes come at an awkward time given the already pressing problems for auto sales from the economic downturn, tight credit, and high gas prices.

Some dealers see this as the only possible move the automaker could have made, and welcome the price increase. "This is still way less than GM or Ford," said Chuck Eddy, owner of Bob and Chuck Eddy Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep in Austintown, Ohio, "We've hardly had any price increase. I don't think they've increased it enough. So it's about time."

Time, it so happens, will tell how consumers react to the increase.

Source: Automotive News