Ram Truck leads Chrysler to best April sales in six years

April sales for Chrysler Group LLC were on par with many analysts' expectations. The Auburn Hills-based automaker sold 156,698 cars and trucks last month, an 11 percent increase compared to sales in April 2012.

AUBURN HILLS- Chrysler Group LLC's Ram Truck brand helped tow the automaker to its best April sales since 2007.

The Auburn Hills-based automaker sold 156,698 cars and trucks last month, an 11 percent increase compared to sales in April 2012.

Ram Truck brand sales were up 49 percent, the largest percentage sales gain of any Chrysler brand in April. It was the brand’s best April sales since 2007. 

“Chrysler Group’s best April sales in six years helped to maintain our sales momentum and drove us to our 37th-consecutive month of year-over-year sales gains,” said Reid Bigland, head of U.S. sales, in a statement. “Our sales last month were solid across the board with seven Chrysler Group vehicles recording their best April sales ever.”

Seven Chrysler vehicles set sales records in the month of April. The Jeep Compass, Jeep Wrangler, Dodge Challenger, Dodge Journey, Fiat 500, and Ram Cargo Van all  logged their best April sales ever. The Dodge Dart also experienced its best sales month since the vehicle was launched in June last year with more than 8,000 sold.

Following the Ram brand's lead of year-over-year sales gains included Dodge up 18 percent; Jeep up 2 percent; and Fiat steady, up 1 percent. The automaker's namesake brand experienced a 13 percent sales decrease last month compared to April 2012.

Many automotive analysts predicted Chrysler's year-over-year sales to be up about 12 percent in April. 

Chrysler’s top-selling vehicles changed quite a bit from March to April, as Jeep sales rebounded from inventory constants due to Jeep Liberty production ending in August and the ongoing product launches and launch preparations for the new 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee, the Jeep Cherokee (the Liberty replacement), and the Jeep Compass and Patriot.

Top five Chrysler models by units sold in April (2013 sales):

1. Ram pickup- 31,409 (109,003)

2. Jeep Grand Cherokee- 15,003 (48,136)

3. Jeep Wrangler- 13,445 (45,291)

4. Chrysler 200- 12,492 (49,377)

5. Chrysler Town & Country- 11,224 (10,773)

Top five Chrysler models by year-over-year sales in April (units sold):

1. Ram Cargo Van- 110% (715)

2. Dodge Durango- 65% (5,386)

3. Ram pickups- 49% (31,409)

4. Jeep Grand Cherokee- 27% (15,003)

5. Jeep Compass- 23% (16,468)

Automotive analysts predicted sales last month to total about 1.3 million cars and trucks sold, marking the best April sales since 2007.

Edmunds.com estimated sales to total 1.3 million vehicles; Kelley Blue Book expected sales to come in at about 1.32 million cars and trucks sold; and TrueCar.com predicted sales of nearly 1.31 million.

Chrysler is the first of the Detroit Three to report its April sales. General Motors Co., Ford Motor Co. and non-domestic automakers are scheduled to release their results later today.