Chrysler Group today reported U.S. sales of 140,083 units, an 11% increase compared with sales in October 2012 of 126,185 vehicles. The Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge and Ram Truck brands each posted year-over-year sales gains in October compared with the same month a year ago. The Ram Truck brand’s 22% increase was the largest sales gain of any Chrysler Group brand during the month. Overall, the improvement came almost entirely from the increasing sales of trucks and Jeeps and minivans.
“After a choppy start to the beginning of the month [caused by the Republican Tea Party extremists government shut down that appears thus far to be responsible for $24 billion in losses to the U.S. economy – editor], Chrysler Group sales accelerated in the second half of the month with renewed consumer confidence and the launch of our all-new Jeep Cherokee,” said Reid Bigland, Head of U.S. Sales.
The all-new 2014 Jeep Cherokee finally started shipping after three months of yet unexplained quality induced delays, and the all-new 2014 Ram ProMaster went on sale in October, expanding the Chrysler Group product lineup. Six Chrysler Group vehicles logged their best October sales ever, including the Jeep Wrangler and Jeep Patriot, and the Dodge Journey crossover, Dodge Dart compact car and the Dodge Challenger.
Chrysler Group finished the month with an 86 days’ supply of inventory (445,271 units). U.S. industry sales figures for October are projected at an estimated 15.7 million units Seasonally Adjusted Annual Rate or SAAR.
