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.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
