DETROIT – The Chrysler Group has far more previous-model-year vehicles in dealer inventory than it had last year or than dealers with other U.S. automakers have on their lots.

As of Nov. 1, 2006 models made up 45 percent of Chrysler’s dealer inventory.

At this time last year, previous-model-year vehicles made up 29 percent of inventory, which is more in line with what General Motors Corp. and Ford Motor Co. are reporting.

Ford estimates 2006 models accounted for 24 percent of its inventory at the end of October; GM’s figure was only 20 percent.

“At the end of October, you are doing pretty well if you can get to… a two-thirds to one-third split,” said George Pipas, Ford sales analyst.

Dealers say it’s important to sell off previous-model-year vehicles before the calendar year ends, because it becomes much harder to sell the vehicles after Jan. 1.

Chrysler – which sells vehicles under the Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep brands – said it is working to get the inventory mix down where it should be.

“Last year was obviously a better mix than what we have right now,” said Chrysler spokesman Kevin McCormick. “We want to move in that direction. We are seeing some traction with our efforts.”

Chrysler said it has already cleared all 2006 model-year vehicles from the stock of vehicles it built without orders.

Now the automaker is working to move those vehicles, more than 80 percent of which are trucks, onto customer driveways. That’s been more difficult with consumer demand shifting away from fuel-thirsty pickups and SUVs in response to gas prices that jumped in the summer.

Chrysler has announced plans to cut production by 45,000 in the fourth quarter. It is also offering generous incentives on its 2006 model-year vehicles. The company is offering 0 percent financing for up to 60 months as well as discounts of up to $8,500 on some 2006 vehicles. Dealers and analysts say the company is doing the right things, but should have acted earlier.