Chrysler Group U.S. July Sales up 20%. Best July in Four Years

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Chrysler Group today reported U.S. sales of 112,026, a 20% increase compared with sales in July 2010 (93,313 units), and the best July sales since 2007 before the ongoing Great Recession took hold.

The Chrysler, Jeep, and Dodge brands all posted year-over-year sales gains in July, while the Fiat brand registered a 68% increase – albeit only 3,000 units- compared with the previous month of June 2011. Chrysler Group’s car sales increased 28% in July to 28,000 vehicles while truck sales were up 18% at 84,000 units compared with the same month a year ago.

“In a market that remains tougher than a cheap steak, we were able to produce our highest retail sales in more than three years,” said Reid Bigland, President and CEO – Dodge Brand and Head of U.S. Sales. “I think that statistic is the ultimate testament to the progress we have made with our product in the areas of fuel economy, quality and design.”

Chrysler Group finished the month with a 72-day supply of inventory (308,880 units). U.S. industry sales figures for July are projected at an anemic 12.4 million SAAR by Chrysler.

Chrysler  

Chrysler brand sales increased 5% in July, helped by sales of the all-new Chrysler 300 full-size sedan and the new Chrysler 200 mid-size sedan. Sales of the Chrysler 200 increased 111% in July compared with sales a year ago by the model’s previous iteration. Sales of the Chrysler 300 were up 6% in July, compared to the same month a year ago. Chrysler brand car sales – combined sales of the Chrysler 200 and the Chrysler 300 – increased 66% in July compared with the same month in 2010.

The Chrysler brand introduced in July its all-new 2012 Chrysler 300 SRT8. With its 6.4-liter hemi V8 engine, the Chrysler 300 SRT8 is said to be the most powerful, best-handling Chrysler brand sedan ever.

Dodge  

The Dodge brand posted a 9% sales increase in July compared with the same month in 2010. The Dodge brand in July introduced the 2012 Dodge Charger SRT8 and the 2012 Dodge Challenger SRT8 392.

Jeep 

The Jeep brand continues its growth this year by posting a 46% sales increase in July, the brand’s best sales volume month since March 2008 and its 15th-consecutive month of year-over-year sales gains. All five Jeep brand models posted a sales increase compared with the same month a year ago.

The Jeep Wrangler was the best-selling Jeep model in July. Wrangler’s record sales volume of 14,355 units in July was second only to the Ram pickup truck. Jeep introduced a new Mopar JK-8 conversion kit, which costs $5,499 and converts the four-door Wrangler into a two door pickup.

The new Jeep Compass posted a 240% sales increase, the largest year-over-year percentage sales gain of any Chrysler Group model in July. Sales of the all-new Jeep Grand Cherokee were up 76% versus the same month in 2010 – the 11th-consecutive year-over-year sales gain by the award winning Grand Cherokee.

Ram Truck

The Ram pickup truck is up 26% year-to-date compared to the same period in 2010.