Strong Ram and Jeep sales allowed Chrysler to pass Toyota and move into third place in U.S. sales.
Chrysler Group, the weakest of the Detroit Three, today reported U.S. sales of 115,363, a 10% increase compared with sales in May 2010 and the best May sales since 2008. The strong results came as larger rivals Ford Motor and General Motors posted flat sales year-on-year. May was the 14th-consecutive month of year-over-year sales gains for the taxpayer bailed out company, now controlled by Fiat, as it moved into third place in the sales race by displacing Toyota.
“Our retail sales were up 27% in May, driven in large part by our new models. Ram pickup trucks and all of our Jeep brand models posted sales increases in May, despite high, fluctuating gas prices,” said Fred Diaz, President and CEO – Ram Truck Brand and Lead Executive for U.S. Sales.
Increases were the result of revised 2011 models. The Chrysler 200 midsize sedan, Dodge Durango SUV, Jeep Grand Cherokee and Compass, and the new 2012 Fiat 500 all contributed to the gain.
May 2011 Chrysler Group U.S. Sales Highlights
- Jeep brand sales (35,573 units) increased 55 percent compared with the same month last year (22,948 units)
- Jeep Grand Cherokee sales (9,484 units) improved 192 percent versus May last year (3,246 units)
- Sales of the new 2011 Jeep Compass (4,555 units) were up 92 percent compared with May 2010 (2,373 units)
- Jeep Wrangler sales (10,008 units) increased 4 percent compared with May 2010 (9,634 units)
- Jeep Liberty sales (6,048 units) increased 47 percent versus May last year (4,105 units)
- Jeep Patriot (5,470 units) posted an 80 percent year-over-year sales increase
- Ram Truck brand sales (21,467 units) increased 13 percent compared with the same month last year (18,930 units)
- Ram pickup truck sales (20,117 units) improved 16 percent versus May 2010 (17,298 units)
- Sales of the new 2011 Chrysler 200 (7,098 units) were up 154 percent versus sales of the model’s previous generation (2,798 units)
- Dodge Nitro sales (1,900 units) increased 7 percent compared with May 2010 (1,774 units)
- Chrysler Group truck sales (83,105 units) improved 17 percent versus May 2010 (71,222 units)
