September proved a particularly strong sales month for Chrysler in its home market. The company’s US sales rose 12% year-on-year last month to 142,041 units thanks to a strong performance by its small and mid-sized passenger cars. Last month marked the best September result since 2007 and the company’s 30th consecutive month of year-on-year growth. The US light vehicle market as a whole rose 12.8% in September, with a 23.3% rise in car sales.
“Going forward with our current product line-up, record low interest rates and a stable US economy, we remain optimistic about the health of the US new vehicle sales industry and our position in it,” said Reid Bigland, President and Chief Executive of the Dodge Brand and Head of US Sales.
Sales gains were seen across the Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Ram Truck and Fiat brands, with the largest gain from the Fiat brand (+51%).
The Dodge brand accounted for the largest sales volume of all Chrysler Group brands last month. Its September sales grew 18% to 47,356 units, its best September in five years and second best sales month this year. The Dodge Journey and the Dodge Avenger both set sales records last month.
Jeep brand sales increased 10%, marking the brand’s 29th consecutive month of year-on-year growth and its best September in six years. New September sales records were set by the Jeep Patriot and the Jeep Wrangler.
Sales of Chrysler brand models increased 5% to mark the brand’s best September sales in five years and its 15th consecutive month of year-on-year sales gains. The Chrysler 200 set a new September sales record, with figures rising 13%. The Chrysler 200 has set a sales record every month this year, including an all-time sales record in March.
The smallest gain last month came from the Ram Truck brand, with sales up 4% compared with same month last year.
Chrysler Group ended the month with a 65-days supply of inventory (369,144 units).
Meanwhile, General Motors saw an overall 1.5% gain in US sales last month to 210,245 vehicles, its highest September sales since 2008. Growth was driven by a 29% increase in passenger car sales. Ford also benefitted from growth in the car segment. Although Ford’s total US sales slipped 0.2% to 174,976 units in September, its small car sales soared 73% to 24,628 units – the company’s best US small car sales since 2002.
