Ram pickup, Jeep, and Dodge and Chrysler minivan sales continue the revival of Chrysler Group. With the exception of Jeep, these are regional products with limited appeal in global markets.
Chrysler Group today reported U.S. sales of 166,596 units, an 11% increase compared with sales in May 2012 in a market that grew by 8%. It was the Fiat-controlled group’s best May sales since 2007 before the Great Recession took hold. Jeep, Dodge, Ram Truck and Fiat brands each posted year-over-year sales gains in May compared with one year ago. Year-to-date, Group sales are up 9% at more than 752,000 vehicles in a market that grew by 7% to 6.4 million vehicles.
The Ram Truck brand’s 24% increase was the largest sales gain of any Chrysler Group brand in May. It again highlighted the Group’s dependence on trucks where almost 32,000 pickup trucks were sold. Trucks outsell cars at the Group by more than a 2:1 ratio. The other strong sales segment for the Group is comprised of minivans, with the Chrysler Town & Country at 11,000 and Dodge Caravan at 13,000 for the month.
Eight Chrysler Group vehicles set sales records during the month of May. The Jeep Wrangler and the Jeep Compass SUVs each recorded their best sales ever. In addition, the Dodge Avenger, Challenger, the Fiat 500, the Chrysler 200 mid-size sedan, and the Ram pickup truck were among the Chrysler Group vehicles that registered their best sales for the month of May.
“Our best May sales in six years enabled us to extend our sales streak to 38-consecutive months of year-over-year sales gains,” said Reid Bigland, Head of U.S. Sales.
The Jeep Compass’ 42% increase was the largest sales gain of any Jeep brand vehicle in the month. Sales of the flagship Jeep Grand Cherokee were up 21% in May compared with the same month a year ago, its best May sales in eight years. All Jeep brand vehicles in production recorded year-over-year sales gains in May.
Chrysler Group finished the month with a 62-day supply of inventory at 398,869 vehicles. U.S. industry sales figures for May are projected at an estimated 15.5 million Seasonally Adjusted Annual Rate (SAAR).
