December 2015: FCA US LLC

[William Maley]

FCA US LLC Reports December 2015 U.S. Sales Increased 13 Percent – Best December in 90 Years; Full-Year Sales Up 7 Percent – Strongest Annual Sales Since 2005

• 69th-consecutive month of year-over-year sales gains
• Annual U.S. sales up 7 percent in 2015; sixth-consecutive year of annual sales growth
• Jeep® brand sales up 42 percent; best monthly sales ever and best annual U.S. sales ever
• Jeep Cherokee, Jeep Compass and Jeep Renegade record their best monthly sales ever; Jeep Wrangler and Jeep Patriot each log their best December sales ever
• Ram ProMaster and Ram ProMaster City post their best monthly sales ever
• Dodge Journey crossover registers its best December sales ever

January 5, 2016 , Auburn Hills, Mich. - FCA US LLC today reported U.S. sales of 217,527 units, a 13 percent increase compared with sales in December 2014 (193,261 units), and the group’s best December sales ever.

 

The Jeep®, Dodge, Ram Truck and FIAT brands each posted year-over-year sales gains in December compared with the same month a year ago. The Jeep brand’s 42 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 69 consecutive months.

 

“FCA US finished 2015 strong with sales up 13 percent and our best December sales since we started business more than 90 years ago,” said Reid Bigland, Head of U.S. Sales. “For the second straight year, the company has topped 2 million in U.S. sales. FCA US sales have now grown annually for the past six years.”

 

Eight FCA US vehicles set records in the month of December, including five Jeep brand vehicles. The Jeep Cherokee, Jeep Compass and Jeep Renegade turned in their best monthly sales ever, while the Jeep Wrangler and Jeep Patriot each recorded their best December sales ever. The Compass generated the largest percentage year-over-year increase of any FCA US vehicle in the month. In addition, the Ram ProMaster and Ram ProMaster City each recorded their best sales months ever, while the Dodge Journey crossover posted its best December sales ever.

 

FCA US finished the month of December with an 81-day supply of inventory (631,668 units). U.S. industry sales figures for December are internally projected at an estimated 18.3 million units Seasonally Adjusted Annual Rate (SAAR).

 

Jeep® Brand

Jeep brand sales increased 42 percent, the brand’s best monthly U.S. sales ever and its 27th-consecutive month of year-over-year sales gains. The Jeep brand has set a sales record in every month dating back to November 2013. Five Jeep models set sales records in December. The Cherokee, Compass and Renegade each logged their best monthly sales ever, while the Wrangler and Patriot tallied their best December sales ever. The Compass’ 78 percent increase was the largest year-over-year percentage gain of any FCA US vehicle in the month. Sales of the flagship Jeep Grand Cherokee were up 22 percent for its best December sales in 10 years. Jeep Renegade sales were up 22 percent month-over-month for its best sales month since launch in March.

 

Full-year Jeep brand sales were up 25 percent for its best annual U.S. sales ever. It was the Jeep brand’s sixth-straight year of annual sales growth. In addition, the Wrangler, Cherokee, Compass and Patriot each posted their best annual U.S. sales ever. The Grand Cherokee had its best annual sales in 10 years.

 

Dodge Brand

Dodge brand sales were up 6 percent in December, compared with the same month a year ago. It was the brand’s best December sales in three years. Dodge Journey sales increased 3 percent, the crossover’s best December sales ever. Dodge Durango’s 25 percent sales gain was its best December sales in 11 years. Both the Dodge Grand Caravan minivan and the Dodge Charger posted year-over-year sales gains in December as well.

 

The Dodge Dart compact car, the Dodge Challenger iconic muscle car, and the Journey each recorded their best annual U.S. sales ever in 2015. The Challenger has posted seven-consecutive years of annual sales growth.

 

Ram Truck Brand

Ram Truck brand sales, which include the Ram pickup truck, Ram ProMaster, Ram ProMaster City and Ram Cargo Van, were up 4 percent in December, the brand’s best December sales since 1999. Sales of the Ram pickup truck were down 2 percent in December, compared with the same month a year ago. The Ram ProMaster recorded its best monthly sales ever, while the Ram ProMaster City posted its best sales month since launch in January.

 

The Ram Truck brand had its best annual sales since 2005. Full-year Ram pickup truck sales were up 3 percent for its best annual U.S. sales ever. It was the pickup truck’s sixth-straight year of annual sales growth in the U.S.

 

FIAT Brand

FIAT brand sales, which include the Fiat 500, Fiat 500L, and 500X, were up 1 percent in December compared with the same month a year ago. It was the brand’s best December sales ever. Sales of the all-new Fiat 500X small crossover were up 9 percent in December, compared with the previous month of November. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) announced in December that the 500X merits the Top Safety Pick+ rating for 2016. The 500X first earned that distinction in 2015. Top Safety Pick+ is the highest rating given by the IIHS.

 

Chrysler Brand

Sales of the Chrysler Town & Country minivan were up 1 percent in December, the minivan’s second best sales month this year. The Town & Country ended the year on a strong note with its best December sales since 2007. The Chrysler 300, the brand’s flagship sedan, turned in its best December sales in two years. Sales of the Chrysler 200 mid-size sedan were down in December, but the 200 finished the year with its best annual sales ever. The IIHS announced in December that the 200 retained its Top Safety Pick+ rating for 2016. The 200 earned the distinction in 2015. Top Safety Pick+ is the highest rating given by the IIHS. Chrysler brand sales were down 21 percent in December, but the brand’s full-year sales were its best since 2008.