Sales FCA US vehicles rose just 4 percent on an annual basis last month to 202,227 units, but that was enough to mark the automaker's best May since 2005.
DETROIT, MI - Sales FCA US vehicles rose just 4 percent on an annual basis last month to 202,227 units, but that was enough to mark the automaker's best May since 2005.
The increase also extended the Auburn Hills company's streak of consecutive months of sales gains to 62.
Once again, the rise was led by the Jeep brand, which climbed 13 percent, with Chrysler also having an exceptional month with a 32 percent rise, and the Ram truck brand doing well too, with growth of 12 percent.
Those gains were partially offset by weak sales of Dodge-brand vehicles, which fell 22 percent, and of Fiat ones, which dropped 19 percent.
Here's a closer look at each brand:
Chrysler
Strong sales of the Chrysler were easily led by the 200, which rocketed up 537 percent to 20,007 units in May, compared with May 2014. That easily offset declines of 13 percent to 4,042 units for the 300 and if 61 percent to 5,753 units for the Town & Country.
Dodge
The decline in Dodge brand sales were led by a drop for the discontinued Avenger, which sold just 111 units, a drop of 98 percent. Sales of the Caravan also struggled mightily, falling 56 percent to 6,320 units. Sales of the Charger dipped 6 percent to 7,777 units. On the other hand, Challenger sales grew 29 percent to 7,438 units. Sales were flat for both the Dart and Durango.
Fiat
Sales of the 500 fell 22 percent to 2,614 units, and the 500L decreased 13 percent to 1,245 units.
Jeep
For Jeep, sales of the Patriot jumped 31 percent to 10,782 units, the Wrangler was up 16 percent to 22,324 units, and the Cherokee grew 23 percent to 19,669 units. Sales of the Grand Cherokee were flat at 18,209 units. The Renegade, which just got its start, sold 4,416 units.
Ram
Sales of the Ram pickups were up 8 percent to 39,952 units. ProMaster Van sales jumped 146 percent to 2,541 units. Sales of the Cargo Van fell 75 percent, but to just 191 units.
David Muller is the automotive and business reporter for MLive Media Group in Detroit. Email him at dmuller@mlive.com or follow him on Twitter