Chrysler today reported U.S. March sales of 193,915 cars and trucks compared to 171,606 units a year ago. It was Chrysler’s best March sales since 2007.
AUBURN HILLS, MI- Chrysler’s U.S. sales last month increased 13 percent from a year ago – marking four years since the company hasn’t experienced a year-over-year sales gain.
The Auburn Hills-based automaker today reported U.S. March sales of 193,915 cars and trucks compared to 171,606 units a year ago. It was Chrysler’s best March sales since 2007.
“We are entering the spring selling season on a high note as our Jeep and FIAT brands recorded their best sales months ever and Chrysler Group extended its streak in March to 48-consecutive months of year-over-year sales increases,” said Reid Bigland, head of U.S. sales. “Our Ram pickup truck posted its best March sales in 10 years.”
All of Chrysler’s brands experienced increases except for its namesake brand. The Jeep brand’s 47 percent increase was the largest, followed by Ram up 29 percent; Fiat up 24 percent and Dodge up about 1 percent. The Chrysler brand dropped 23 percent.
Six Chrysler Group vehicles set sales records in March. The Jeep Compass and Jeep Patriot, the Fiat 500L, and the Dodge Journey mid-size crossover each posted their best monthly sales ever.
Through the first three months of this year, Chrysler's U.S. sales are up 11 percent from the same time a year ago to nearly 476,000 cars and trucks sold.
2014 Fiat 500L Trekking (courtesy image)Chrysler is the first of the Detroit automakers to report its March sales. General Motors Co., Ford Motor Co. and non-domestic automakers are scheduled to release their results later today.
Inclement weather across the Midwest and other parts of the country for the first two months of the year hurt auto sales. Auto industry experts, including Kelley Blue Book and Edmunds.com, expect March U.S. vehicle sales to be about 1.48 million cars and trucks, which would be a nearly 2 percent increase from March 2013 and up 24 percent from February 2014.
“Following two months of weaker-than-expected sales, the industry should start to bounce back in March,” said Alec Gutierrez, Kelley Blue Book senior analyst. “Those consumers that delayed a purchase in January and February will find a modest increase in available incentives, which should help to offset gains in average transaction prices.”
Overall, auto sales in the first quarter of 2014 are expected to be about even from January through March of last year.
Following a strong year for U.S. auto sales in 2013, most experts predict vehicle sales to top 16.3 million units this year. It's a slower pace than in previous years, but still considered healthy.
Top five best-selling Chrysler vehicles in March (2014 total):
1. Ram pickup- 42,532 (96,906)
2. Jeep Grand Cherokee- 15,940 (40,838)
3. Jeep Wrangler- 14,481 (34,674)
4. Dodge Grand Caravan- 14,165 (32,025)
5. Jeep Cherokee- 13,796 (36,096)
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