Chrysler Group May 2012 U.S Sales Up 30%
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Auburn Hills, Mich.June 1, 2012;
Chrysler Group LLC today reported U.S. sales of 150,041 units, a 30 percent
increase compared with sales in May 2011 (115,363 units), and the
group’s best sales in the month of May since 2007.
The Chrysler, Jeep®, Dodge, Ram Truck, and FIAT brands each posted sales
increases in May compared with the same month a year ago. The FIAT brand
set a sales record for the fourth-consecutive month and the brand’s
128 percent year-over-year sales gain was the largest percentage increase
of any Chrysler Group brand in May.
Chrysler Group recorded its 26th-consecutive month of year-over-year sales
gains and its 12th-straight month of sales increases of at least 20
percent.
Several additional Chrysler Group models posted record sales in May. The
iconic Jeep Wrangler SUV and Dodge Challenger muscle car each set all-time
monthly sales records, while the Chrysler 200 and Dodge Avenger mid-size
sedans set sales records for the month of May.
“In spite of a tremendous amount of global economic uncertainty, the
U.S. new vehicle sales industry continues to power ahead,” said Reid
Bigland, President and CEO – Dodge Brand and Head of U.S. Sales.
“Our May sales increased 30 percent and represented our
26th-consecutive month of year-over-year sales growth. We are also in the
process of adding production capacity as quickly as possible to meet strong
demand for our products.”
Once again, a broad range of Chrysler Group models contributed to the
company’s 30 percent increase. While the Fiat 500 continues to rack
up sales records, the Ram pickup truck logged its 25th-consecutive month of
year-over-year sales gains. Both the Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge
Grand Caravan minivans posted double-digit sales gains in May, while the
Chrysler 300 flagship sedan recorded triple-digit year-over-year sales
growth. The Jeep brand weighed in with impressive double-digit sales gains
by the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Jeep Wrangler SUVs.
Chrysler Group finished the month with a 61-days supply of inventory
(351,804 units). U.S. industry sales figures for May are projected at an
estimated 14.2 million units Seasonally Adjusted Annual Rate (SAAR).
May 2012 U.S. Sales Highlights by Brand
FIAT Brand
FIAT brand sales were up 128 percent in May versus the same
month a year ago, the largest year-over-year sales gain of any Chrysler
Group brand. The FIAT brand set a sales record in May, the
fourth-consecutive month that the brand has set a new record this year. May
marked the first full month of sales of the Fiat 500 Abarth. Dealer orders
for the Abarth, the ultimate high-performance small car, exceeded the
production run of this model for the 2012 model year. The Fiat 500 Cabrio
won the Sub Compact Car of Texas award at this year’s Texas Auto
Roundup hosted by the Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA).
Chrysler Brand
Chrysler brand sales were up 81 percent in May, the
brand’s best May sales since 2008 and its 11th-consecutive month of
year-over-year sales gains. All three Chrysler models contributed to the
brand’s strong sales performance in May. Sales of the Chrysler 200
mid-size sedan, the brand’s volume leader for the month, were up 87
percent, a new sales record for the month of May.
Sales of the Chrysler 300 full-size sedan were up 140 percent, the
model’s best May sales in five years. The Chrysler 300 earned
“Best in Class Vehicle Satisfaction” in the “Large
Car” category from the automotive research group AutoPacific in May.
The AutoPacific Vehicle Satisfaction Awards are based solely on
owners’ satisfaction ratings of their new vehicle. Chrysler Town &
Country minivan sales were up 56 percent in May compared with the same
month in 2011.
Two Chrysler brand models earned accolades during TAWA’s Texas Auto
Roundup. The Town & Country took home two awards – Family Car of
Texas and Minivan of Texas. The Chrysler 300 Luxury Series was named
Full-Size Luxury Car of Texas. After a day of demanding driving at the
Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Texas, journalists voted on their
favorites and Chrysler Group secured eight of the possible 18 awards
– the most of any participating manufacturer at the event.
Jeep® Brand
Jeep brand sales were up 24 percent in May compared with the
same month a year ago, the brand’s best May sales performance in 12
years and its 25th-consecutive month of year-over-year sales gains. The
Jeep Wrangler, the brand’s volume leader for the month, set an
all-time sales record in May with its solid 44 percent sales increase. May
sales of the Jeep Liberty mid-size SUV were the best since 2007.
Sales of the Jeep Grand Cherokee, the most awarded SUV ever, increased 40
percent in May, the model’s best May sales since 2005. For the second
year in a row, the Grand Cherokee was named “Premium Mid-Size
SUV” in AutoPacific’s “2012 Best in Class Vehicle
Satisfaction” Awards. Also in May, the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 was
named “Performance SUV of Texas” at TAWA’s Texas Auto
Roundup.
Dodge Brand
Dodge brand sales increased 14 percent in May, the
brand’s best May sales in four years and its 12th-consecutive month
of year-over-year sales growth. Two Dodge vehicles broke sales records. The
Dodge Avenger mid-size sedan set a new sales record for the month of May
with its 93 percent year-over-year increase. The Dodge Challenger muscle
car set an all-time monthly sales record in May. The Dodge Grand Caravan
minivan, the brand’s volume leader in May, and the Dodge Journey
full-size crossover, each had their best May sales in four years.
The 2013 Dodge Dart, which goes on sale in dealerships this month, took
home three awards from TAWA’s Texas Auto Roundup. The first Chrysler
Group vehicle built off a FIAT-derived architecture, the all-new Dart
blends Alfa Romeo DNA with Dodge’s passion for performance and style.
The Dart was named “Compact Car of Texas,” and took home awards
for “Best Value” and “Best New Feature” for its
Thin Film Transistor (TFT) display.
Ram Truck Brand
Sales of the Ram pickup truck, Chrysler Group’s volume
leader, were up a sound 29 percent in May compared with the same month a
year ago. It was the pickup truck’s 25th-consecutive month of
year-over-year sales gains and its best May since 2007. Both Ram light- and
heavy-duty pickup trucks posted sales increases in May. Of the Ram
light-duty truck sales, the regular cab pickups posted the largest
percentage sales increase in May, but the quad cab trucks led in volume.
The Ram Truck brand posted its best May sales in five years.
Dealers are expected to begin ordering the 2013 Ram 1500 pickup truck in
July. The new Ram pickup, which bowed at the 2012 New York International
Auto Show in April, delivers best-in-class fuel efficiency, new technology
and new features as well as interior and exterior upgrades. The 2013 Ram
gets the new 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine, one of Ward’s “10
Best Engines” for 2012, which features 42 percent more horsepower, 13
percent more torque and at least 20 percent better fuel economy when
compared to the previous 3.7-liter V-6 powertrain.