CHRYSLER GROUP LLC - Chrysler Group LLC yesterday reported U.S. sales of 163,381 units, a 34 percent increase compared with sales in March 2011 (121,730 units), and the group's best monthly sales in four years.
The Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Ram Truck, and FIAT brands each posted sales increases in March versus the same month a year ago. The FIAT brand led the charge with a 642 percent year-over-year increase, setting a monthly sales record. The brand bested its previous high established in February. The brand's Fiat 500, with its Italian design and city-friendly functionality, was launched in the U.S. in March last year.
Chrysler Group recorded its 24th-consecutive month of year-over-year sales gains and its 10th-consecutive month of sales increases of at least 20 percent. Every Chrysler Group model in production for more than 12 months recorded a year-over-year sales increase in March. Chrysler Group also logged its best first quarter since 2008.
Chrysler Group beat the industry average sales increase for the 13th-consecutive month in March. The Chrysler 200 mid-size sedan, the Dodge Challenger muscle car, and the Dodge Journey full-size crossover each set monthly sales records.
"The combination of credit availability, an improving economy, pent-up demand and even high fuel prices encouraging people to acquire newer more fuel-efficient vehicles are all helping to drive industry sales," said Reid Bigland, President and CEO – Dodge Brand and Head of U.S. Sales. "Thanks to these factors we experienced sales strength across the board with our March sales up 34 percent and our first quarter sales up a whopping 39 percent."
Chrysler Group sedans, minivans, SUVs, and pickup trucks all contributed to the company's 34 percent sales gain in March. The Chrysler brand's flagship Chrysler 300 full-size sedan and the Chrysler 200 each posted year-over-year sales gains in the triple digits.
All five Jeep brand models posted gains, the Chrysler Town & Country and the Dodge Grand Caravan minivans recorded double-digit sales increases, and the Ram pickup truck, even in the face of soaring gas prices across the country, recorded a March sales gain. Ram pickup sales were up 23 percent, the truck's 23rd-consecutive month of year-over-year sales gains.
Chrysler Group finished the month with a 59-days supply of inventory (346,939 units). U.S. industry sales figures for March are projected at an estimated 14.7 million units Seasonally Adjusted Annual Rate (SAAR).
March 2012 U.S. Sales Highlights by Brand
FIAT Brand
FIAT brand sales were up 642 percent in March compared with the same month a year ago. The Fiat 500, with its unique styling, engaging driving dynamics and fuel efficiency, was launched in the U.S. in March 2011. The Fiat 500 Cabrio followed in April. For the second time this year, the FIAT brand set a monthly sales record with 3,712 units sold in March. The brand's previous record was set a month earlier in February. The FIAT brand's first year-over-year sales gain was the largest of any Chrysler Group brand.
The FIAT brand in March formally introduced its all-new Fiat 500L, an all-new model that expands the appeal of the brand's iconic Fiat 500, at the Geneva Motor Show in Geneva, Switzerland. The new Fiat 500L – the L stands for 'Large' – will follow the U.S. introduction of the high-performance Fiat 500 Abarth this spring and a full-electric version of the Fiat 500. The Fiat 500L will be produced at the FIAT plant in Kragujevac, Serbia, and will arrive in the United States in 2013.
Chrysler Brand
Chrysler brand sales were up 70 percent in March, the brand's best sales month in four years. Sales of all three Chrysler brand models were up in March, led by a strong 169 percent increase in Chrysler 300 sedan sales. The Chrysler 200 mid-size sedan set a monthly sales record with its 121 percent increase in March. The Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan minivans each posted double-digit gains versus the same month a year ago. It was the Town & Country's best March since 2007. March was the Chrysler brand's ninth-consecutive month of year-over-year sales gains.
Jeep Brand
Jeep brand sales increased 36 percent in March versus with the same month in 2011, the brand's best March in five years. March also was the brand's 23rd-consecutive month of year-over-year sales gains. Sales of all five Jeep brand models were up in March led by the 46 percent increase in Jeep Liberty sales. Jeep Grand Cherokee had its best March since 2006. Four of the five Jeep models recorded March sales gains in the double digits.
The Jeep brand announced in March that it will produce three new limited-edition Jeep vehicles: the Grand Cherokee, Compass and Patriot Altitude models. The new Jeep models, which boast blacked-out exteriors with distinct, aggressive flair, will arrive in Jeep showrooms in May.
For the second year in a row, members of the New England Motor Press Association (NEMPA) have named the Jeep Grand Cherokee the Official Winter Vehicle of New England. In addition, the new 2012 Jeep Wrangler also captured a NEMPA Winter Vehicle Award as best-in-class in the SUV/crossover – over $25,000 category.
Likewise, for the second consecutive year, the Rocky Mountain Automotive Press (RMAP) association named the Grand Cherokee its 2012 SUV of the Year. Unstoppable off-road ability and impressive on-road performance were attributes cited by voting journalists.
Dodge Brand
Dodge brand sales increased 18 percent in March, the brand's best sales performance in March since 2008 and its 10th-consecutive month of year-over-year sales growth. The Dodge Challenger, the iconic muscle car, set an all-time monthly sales record, while the Dodge Journey full-size crossover set a new monthly sales record.
The Dodge Grand Caravan minivan, the brand's volume leader in March, had its best March sales in four years. Sales of the three-row Dodge Durango SUV were up 5 percent in March, its best sales month so far this year. In March, the Durango was the top-ranked vehicle in the Mid-Size Traditional SUV segment in Strategic Vision's annual Total Value Index.
The Dodge brand announced in March that it will begin offering a Durango Special Service model for fleet use. The Dodge Durango Special Service SUV is specially designed to handle the rigors of everyday use by police and fire departments and fleet customers. Chrysler Group fleet operations will start taking orders now, with deliveries expected to begin in the second quarter of 2012.
The Dodge brand revealed in March its new 2012 Dodge Challenger Rallye Redline. The new Challenger Rallye Redline turns up the heat with unique red-hot exterior accents, 305 horsepower and performance suspension.
Members of the New England Motor Press Association named the Dodge Charger AWD the best-in-class in the all-weather sedan/wagon – $25,000-$35,000 category. This is the second-consecutive year that the Charger with all-wheel-drive wins this highly-competitive NEMPA award.
Ram Truck Brand
Ram Truck brand sales were up in March driven by the 23 percent increase in Ram pickup sales. March marked the 23rd-consecutive month that the Ram pickup truck recorded a year-over-year sales gain. The Ram light-duty trucks led the way with a 25 percent increase versus sales in March 2011. Of the Ram light-duty truck sales, those with regular cabs posted the greatest percentage increase in March. It was the brand's best March sales in four years.
The Ram Truck brand announced last month that it would expand Ram 1500 Tradesman availability to include Crew Cab and Quad Cab models, and unveiled a special 10th Anniversary edition of its Texas-only 2012 Ram 1500 Lone Star. The Lone Star model makes up 30-40 percent of all Ram 1500s sold in Texas. Since the Lone Star's debut, Ram has sold more than 80,000 of the Texas-only models.
Ram Truck announced in March it will become the only manufacturer in North America to offer a factory-built compressed natural gas-powered (CNG) pickup truck. The Ram 2500 Heavy Duty CNG pickup is designed for fleet and commercial customers and offers cost and emissions benefits, using an abundant, domestically-sourced fuel and reducing America's dependence on foreign oil. The Ram HD CNG is powered by the 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 and features both compressed gas storage tanks and an 8-gallon gasoline fuel tank.