FCA US LLC reported a 5% increase in first-quarter U.S. total sales, driven by strong retail demand. For the quarter, U.S. sales were 469,651 vehicles, compared with 446,768 for the same period a year earlier. Retail sales rose 25% compared with the first quarter of 2020. Focus on growing the commercial fleet business continues to pay dividends with fleet commercial sales up 24% compared with the first quarter of 2020. Fleet accounted for 19% of total sales for the quarter.
“In spite of what started out as a strong start last year, before COVID shocked us all, this quarter was a very strong rebound for retail sales year over year,” said U.S. Head of Sales Jeff Kommor. “The consumer demand for our brands and our products was extremely strong throughout the quarter.” The Jeep® brand saw its iconic Wrangler post the best ever first-quarter retail sales, following the best ever fourth-quarter sales in 2020. Total Wrangler sales rose 25% to 49,646 vehicles. Jeep Gladiator followed suit. Following its best ever fourth-quarter sales in 2020, Gladiator posted its best ever first quarter with total sales of 18,822 vehicles, a 23% increase over the same period last year. Gladiator also had its best month of retail and total sales in March since launch.
This is an exciting time for the Jeep brand, with the new 2021 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392 and the all-new 2021 Wrangler 4xe plug-in hybrid arriving in dealerships soon. In the second quarter, the Grand Cherokee L will make its debut in dealership showrooms. Customers can also look forward to the all-new 2022 Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer arriving in the large SUV segment as a premium extension of the brand.
Ram recorded its best ever first-quarter retail sales. In March, the Ram brand also posted its best ever monthly retail sales. Overall, Ram retail sales rose 28% in the quarter based on strong consumer demand for trucks.
For the first quarter, the Alfa Romeo brand posted a 25% gain in total sales compared with the same period last year, with sales of the Stelvio SUV increasing by 34% and the Giulia sedan by 17%. These results follow 2020 in which the Alfa Romeo brand grew both volume and market share.
Total first-quarter sales of the Chrysler brand increased 32% to 39,737 vehicles, led by the Chrysler Pacifica – America’s most capable minivan. First-quarter retail sales of Pacifica increased 57%, compared to the first quarter of 2020.
Coming off a strong 2020, Dodge Challenger and Charger continue the trend in the first quarter, with retail sales of the muscle cars up 29% year over year. The new 2021 Dodge Durango, the ultimate “no-compromise” SUV, continues to raise the bar, adding to the brand’s success both on the road and in the showroom, turning in a 61% increase in first-quarter retail sales. The top purchase reasons for Dodge vehicles are overall exterior styling, being “fun to drive” and overall power and acceleration, and Kelley Blue Book is recognizing America’s performance brand by naming Dodge the Best Car Styling Brand in the 2021 Brand Image Awards for the third year in a row.
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SOURCE: Stellantis
