Chrysler Group LLC beat analysts' expectations today, reporting a 16 percent increase in sales last month compared to a year ago. The sales increase marks the Auburn Hills-based automakers 44th-consecutive month of year-over-year sales gains.
AUBURN HILLS, MI- Chrysler Group LLC beat most analysts' expectations today, reporting a 16 percent increase in sales last month compared to a year ago.
Chrysler sold more than 142,000 vehicles last month, up from nearly 123,000 a year ago. The sales mark the Auburn Hills-based automaker's 44th-consecutive month of year-over-year sales gains.
The Jeep brand, up 30 percent compared to a year ago, led Chrysler's sales, followed by Ram up 25 percent; its namesake brand up 12 percent; Dodge up 4 percent; and Fiat, even with a second model, down 15 percent.
For Jeep, November was a particularly significant month. It marked the first full month of sales for its 2014 Jeep Cherokee, which after a delayed launch, replaces the Liberty. Chrysler sold more than 10,100 Cherokees last month, following deliveries starting in mid-October.
“Our all-new Jeep Cherokee is off to a terrific start with more than 10,169 units sold in its first full month on sale,” said Reid Bigland, head of U.S. sales, in a statement. “Our launch emphasis on Jeep Cherokee quality is now being rewarded with brisk sales and helping Chrysler Group achieve our 44th-consecutive month of year-over-year sales growth.”
2014 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk (courtesy image)The addition of the Cherokee to the product lineup helped the Jeep brand attain its best November sales ever. In addition, the Jeep Grand Cherokee, Jeep Wrangler, Jeep Patriot and Jeep Compass each posted year-over-year sales gains in November, led by the 31 percent increase in Compass sales.
With one sales month left, Chrysler's U.S. vehicle sales are up 9 percent from last year to 1.64 million cars and trucks sold.
For the year, Dodge and Ram Truck are the only two brands to post any substantial gains compared to a strong November 2012, up 16 percent and 23 percent, respectively. Fiat, Chrysler and Jeep brands are all about even.
Chrysler is the first of the Detroit Three to report its November sales. General Motors Co., Ford Motor Co. and non-domestic automakers are scheduled to release their results later today.
On lucrative Black Friday deals and 2013 model-year sell downs, analysts predict overall industry sales to be pretty healthy in November. On the low end, Kelley Blue Book predicts sales to come in at 3.6 percent year-over-year to a total of nearly 1.19 million units. As the other end of the spectrum, TrueCar.com predicts industry sales to increase 6.3 percent to 1.21 million cars and trucks sold.
Top five Chrysler models by units sold in November (2013 sales):
1. Ram pickup- 29,635 (322,268)
2. Jeep Grand Cherokee- 14,798 (157,758)
3. Jeep Wrangler- 11,753 (143,474)
4. Chrysler Town & Country- 11,288 (112,551)
5. Jeep Cherokee- 10,169 (10,748)
Top five Chrysler models by year-over-year sales in November (monthly units sold):
1. Chrysler Town & Country- 70% (11,288)
2. Dodge Dart- 44% (6,486)
3. Dodge Durango- 36% (5,581)
4. Jeep Compass- 31% (3,547)
5. Jeep Patriot- 23% (5,148)
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