June 2014: Chrysler Group LLC

[William Maley]

Chrysler Group LLC Reports June 2014 U.S. Sales Increased 9 Percent; Best June Sales Since 2007  

• 51st-consecutive month of year-over-year sales gains
• Jeep®, Dodge, Ram Truck, and FIAT brands each post sales gains in June compared with same month a year ago
• Jeep brand sales up 28 percent; best ever sales for the month of June
• Ram pickup truck sales up 12 percent; best June sales in 10 years
• Six Chrysler Group vehicles set sales records in June
• Ram Truck brand unveils 2015 Ram ProMaster City compact van at Chelsea Proving Grounds

July 1, 2014 , Auburn Hills, Mich. - Chrysler Group LLC today reported U.S. sales of 171,086 units, a 9 percent increase compared with sales in June 2013 (156,686 units), and the group’s best June sales since 2007.

The Jeep®, Dodge, Ram Truck and FIAT brands each posted year-over-year sales gains in June compared with the same month a year ago. The Jeep brand’s 28 percent increase was the largest sales gain of any Chrysler Group brand during June and its best ever sales in the month of June. Chrysler Group extended its streak of year-over-year sales gains to 51-consecutive months in June.
 
“In spite of two fewer selling days in June versus a year ago, we were able to increase our sales 9 percent and post our strongest June sales in seven years,” said Reid Bigland, Head of U.S. Sales. “Month-over-month sales of our all-new Chrysler 200 increased from a few hundred units in May to more than 5,000 in June as inventory of the mid-size sedan continues to build. In addition, sales of the Jeep brand increased 28 percent and our Ram Truck brand 14 percent helping to lead Chrysler Group to its 51st-consecutive month of year-over-year sales growth.”
 
The all-new 2015 Chrysler 200 mid-size sedan is off to a strong start as inventory continues to build at Chrysler dealerships. It is taking dealers on average only 12 days to turn the new 200. Sales of the new 200 topped 5,000 units in June, up from 595 units in its first month on sale in May.
 
Six Chrysler Group vehicles, including three Jeep brand models, set sales records for the month of June. The Jeep Patriot, Compass, and Wrangler each posted their best sales ever in the month of June. In addition, the Fiat 500L, Dodge Journey crossover, and Dodge Dart compact car each logged their best June sales ever. Ram pickup truck sales were up 12 percent, the pickup’s best June sales in 10 years. 
 
Chrysler Group finished the month of June with a 72 days supply of inventory (509,714 units). U.S. industry sales figures for June are internally projected at an estimated 17 million units Seasonally Adjusted Annual Rate (SAAR).
 
Jeep® Brand
Jeep brand sales were up 28 percent in June, the brand’s best ever sales in the month of June. The brand’s 28 percent increase was the largest percentage sales gain of any Chrysler Group brand for the month. The Jeep Compass, Patriot, and Wrangler each recorded their best ever sales in the month of June, led by the 5 percent increase in Compass sales. This trio of Jeep brand SUVs has posted a sales record in every month this year. The iconic Wrangler was named by Edmunds.com winner of its Best Retained Value Awards in the Compact SUV category in June.
 
Ram Truck Brand
The Ram pickup truck had its best June sales in 10 years. Sales of the Ram pickup – Motor Trend’s “Truck of the Year” and first-ever back-to-back champion – were up 12 percent in June, its 50th-consecutive month of year-over-year sales gains. Ram Light Duty sales increased 4 percent in June, while Ram Heavy Duty pickups were up 31 percent. Ram Truck brand sales, which include the Ram ProMaster van and Ram Cargo Van, were up 14 percent in June, the brand’s best June sales since 2007. The ProMaster was named by Edmunds.com winner of its Best Retained Value Awards in the Commercial Van category in June.
 
Ram Truck unveiled its all-new 2015 Ram ProMaster City commercial van and passenger wagon in June during a media event at Chrysler Group’s Chelsea Proving Grounds in Chelsea, Mich. The ProMaster City is Ram Truck’s newest addition to its commercial vehicle lineup. Joining the larger and highly capable Ram ProMaster and popular Ram C/V as a Class 1 van offering, the ProMaster City will compete with compact commercial and passenger vans with best-in-class attributes in the areas that count: payload capacity, cargo area, performance and fuel economy.

FIAT Brand
FIAT brand sales were up 11 percent in June, the brand’s best ever sales in the month of June. It was the brand’s seventh-consecutive month of year-over-year sales gains. Sales of the Fiat 500L were up 113 percent in June compared with sales in June 2013, the 500L’s first month on sale in the U.S. The Fiat 500 Cabrio Abarth, with its 130 percent year-over-year increase, recorded the largest percentage sales gain of any Fiat 500 model in June.
 
The FIAT brand announced that production of its high-performance 2015 Fiat 500 Abarth and Abarth Cabrio, now offering an optional six-speed automatic transmission, began in June in the Toluca Assembly Plant in Toluca, Mexico. The Abarth’s optional six-speed automatic transmission, new for 2015, is mated to the track-proven 1.4-liter MultiAir Turbo engine to deliver up to 183 ft.-lb. of torque and 157 horsepower.
 
Dodge Brand
Dodge brand sales were up slightly in June, the brand’s best June sales since 2007. The Dodge Dart compact sedan and the Dodge Journey mid-size crossover each set records in June. Sales of the Dart were up 12 percent, the small car’s best ever sales in the month of June. Sales of the Journey were up 24 percent, its best sales in the month of June and the largest percentage sales gain of any Dodge brand vehicle during the month. The Dodge Durango full-size SUV recorded its best June sales since 2011. Durango sales were up 9 percent in June, extending its run of year-over-year sales gains to 20-consecutive months. The Dodge Grand Caravan had its best June sales since 2008.
 
The Dodge Challenger was named by Edmunds.com winner of its Best Retained Value Awards in the Midsize/Large Coupe category in June. In addition, the Challenger leads the Midsize Sporty Car segment in initial quality for the second time in four years in J.D. Power’s 2014 U.S. Initial Quality Study.
 
Chrysler Brand
The all-new 2015 Chrysler 200 mid-size sedan is off to a strong sales start as inventory continues to build at Chrysler dealerships across the country. Sales of the new 200 exceeded 5,000 units in June, up from 595 in May, its first month on sale. Greater volumes of the new 200 are expected in dealerships in July.
 
Chrysler Town & Country sales were up 24 percent in June compared with the same month a year ago. It was the minivan’s best June sales since 2006, its 11th-consecutive month of year-over-year sales gains, and its best sales month so far this year. The Town & Country – Chrysler Group’s ultimate family vehicle – ranked highest in initial quality among minivans for the third time in four years in the J.D. Power 2014 U.S. Initial Quality Study in June. Chrysler brand sales were down 12 percent in June, reflecting the end of production of the outgoing 2014 Chrysler 200 sedan and convertible.

 

[A Horse With No Name]

Damn, they are indeed moving the metal.  They have a lot more momentum than ford.  And I am glad to see Jeep doing so well.

[Z-06]

If it wasn't for Cherokee!

[A Horse With No Name]

Cherokee is an awesome product though. Jeep and trucks make the company.

[2QuickZ's]

There is no way I would have thought the Cherokee would sell that well after seeing the first images leaked.  It does look considerably better in person than in pictures but I still would not have guess that volume.  I keep waiting for the drop off but it hasn't come yet.  200 sales being way down are no big surprise since the 2015's are just now hitting dealer lots.  The big question for me is, can the new 200 match the volume of the old 200 at a fraction of the fleet percentage?  I think that is what it would take to call it a success.  If it can add volume that would just be a bonus!

[A Horse With No Name]

The new 200 is really nice. I like the rear end styling especially well.

[ocnblu]

Here I am in a Cummins regular cab 4X4 SLT with six speed manual and big ol' mud tires/dream

[A Horse With No Name]

Here I am in a Cummins regular cab 4X4 SLT with six speed manual and big ol' mud tires/dream

 

 

That would be my dream as well.   However, with three children in College, it will probably not happen any time soon for me...