July 2015: FCA US LLC

[William Maley]

FCA US LLC Reports July 2015 U.S. Sales Increased 6 Percent; Best July Sales Since 2005

• 64th-consecutive month of year-over-year sales gains
• Jeep® brand sales up 23 percent; best July sales ever
• Jeep Wrangler, Jeep Cherokee, Jeep Patriot and Jeep Compass record their best July sales ever
• Chrysler 200 sales up 85 percent; best July sales ever
• Eight FCA US vehicles post sales records in July

August 3, 2015 , Auburn Hills, Mich. - FCA US LLC today reported U.S. sales of 178,027 units, a 6 percent increase compared with sales in July 2014 (167,667 units), and the group’s best July sales since 2005.

 

The Chrysler, Jeep®, and Ram Truck brands each posted year-over-year sales gains in July compared with the same month a year ago. The Jeep brand’s 23 percent increase was the largest sales gain of any FCA US brand during the month. The group extended its streak of year-over-year sales gains to 64-consecutive months.

 

“Last week FCA announced a 69 percent increase in second quarter profits and now we post our best July U.S. sales since 2005,” said Reid Bigland, Head of U.S. Sales. “With Jeep sales up 23 percent, we were also able to achieve our 64th-consecutive month of year-over-year sales increases.”

 

Eight FCA US vehicles set records in the month of July, including the Chrysler 200, which posted the largest percentage year-over-year increase of any FCA US vehicle in the month. Sales of the 200 were up 85 percent, the mid-size sedan’s best July sales ever. In addition, the Dodge Challenger, Dodge Journey, Jeep Wrangler, Jeep Cherokee, Jeep Patriot, Jeep Compass, and Ram ProMaster each recorded their best July sales ever.

 

FCA US finished the month of July with an 82-day supply of inventory (563,809 units). U.S. industry sales figures for July are internally projected at an estimated 17.8 million units Seasonally Adjusted Annual Rate (SAAR).

 

Jeep® Brand

Jeep brand sales increased 23 percent, the brand’s best July sales ever and its 22nd-consecutive month of year-over-year sales gains. The Jeep brand has set a sales record in every month dating back to November 2013. Four Jeep brand vehicles set records last month. The Wrangler, Cherokee, Patriot and Compass each posted their best July sales ever. The Patriot’s 22 percent increase was the largest year-over-year percentage gain of any Jeep brand model for the month. Sales of the all-new Jeep Renegade, the most capable small sport-utility vehicle (SUV), were up 30 percent compared with sales in the previous month of June. Sales of the flagship Jeep Grand Cherokee were up 5 percent, its best July sales in 10 years. In July, the Grand Cherokee – the most awarded SUV ever – ranked highest among Mid-Size SUVs for the fifth-consecutive year in AutoPacific’s Vehicle Satisfaction Awards.

 

Chrysler Brand

Chrysler brand sales were up 10 percent, the brand’s best July sales in eight years and its 13th-consecutive month of year-over-year sales gains. Sales of the Chrysler 200 were up 85 percent in July, the mid-size sedan’s best July sales ever and its 11th-consecutive month of logging a sales record. Sales of the Chrysler 300 were up 6 percent, the flagship sedan’s best July sales since 2007. The 300 ranked the highest in the Large Car segment in the recent J.D. Power 2015 U.S. Initial Quality Study (IQS). The study is based on responses from more than 84,000 owners of new 2015 model year vehicles during the first 90 days of ownership.

 

Ram Truck Brand

Ram Truck brand sales, which include the Ram pickup truck, Ram ProMaster, Ram ProMaster City and Ram Cargo Van, were up 1 percent in July, the brand’s best July sales since 2006. Sales of the Ram pickup truck increased 1 percent in July, the pickup’s best July sales in 10 years. Ram ProMaster sales were up 25 percent, the full-size van’s best July sales since it was launched in October 2013. ProMaster City sales were up 33 percent compared with the previous month of June. The first 2016 Ram 3500 Heavy Duty with a ground-stomping, best-in-class 900 lb.-ft. of torque rolled off the line at FCA’s Saltillo Truck Assembly Plant in July.

 

Dodge Brand

Both the Challenger and Journey posted their best July sales ever. Challenger sales were up 20 percent as the muscle car logged its sixth sales record this year. For the second time in three years, the Challenger in July ranked highest in AutoPacific’s Vehicle Satisfaction Awards in the Sporty Car segment. Journey sales increased 16 percent, the mid-size crossover’s best July sales ever and its fourth sales record so far this year. Charger sales were up 5 percent for its best July sales in three years. Charger and Challenger ranked highest in their segments in last month’s J.D. Power 2015 U.S. Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study. The full-size Durango SUV turned in its best July sales in two years. Dodge brand sales were down 13 percent in July, compared with the same month a year ago.

 

FIAT Brand

Sales of the all-new 2016 Fiat 500X, the newest addition to the FIAT brand vehicle lineup, increased 197 percent in July compared with the previous month of June. FIAT dealers sold 962 units of the new crossover in July and will continue to see greater numbers of the new model arriving this month as production is ramped up. The 500 ranked highest in the City Car segment in last month’s J.D. Power APEAL study. FIAT brand sales, which include the Fiat 500, 500L, and 500X were down 15 percent in July compared with the same month a year ago. 

 

[El Kabong]

The only segments where carryover product is down for Mopar are vans (which are gradually going away industry-wide), one Chrysler model, and Fiat's lineup. Even there things aren't exactly awful: Fiat as a whole is off by 3,500 units, and the Chrysler 300 is off by just over 1,000.

What Mopar needs to do is shore up sales in he small-car segment, and that will require a Dodge and/or Chrysler built off that 500 platform. The little Fiat's looks are too offbeat to really get mainstream success in the US.

[smk4565]

Jeep is white hot and I think the Renegade is going to pick up steam and sell even more.  I think the Renegade looks pretty good, it has a classic Jeep look, at Kia Soul prices, that is going to be a winning combo.

 

Ram pickups do nice volume, their commercial vans are nothing compared to Ford's volume.  Fiat and Alfa sales are a joke, Dodge/Chrysler are pretty uninspiring.   Jeep is holding this company together.