Fiat Chrysler reported its best May U.S. sales numbers since 2005 this week as its top rivals disclosed falling sales compared to the same month in 2015.
FCA's overall sales increased by 1 percent last month on the strength of a record month from its Jeep brand.
Jeep sales increased by 14 percent as the Ram Truck brand remained stagnant and Dodge and Chrysler sales fell by 5 percent and 20 percent, respectively.
“Notwithstanding a challenging calendar, we managed to muscle our way to our strongest May sales in over 10 years,” said FCA North American sales senior vice president Reid Bigland.
FCA's domestic and overseas rivals largely blamed two fewer selling days between May 2016 and May 2015 for their declining numbers.
General Motors, which was hindered in part by supply chain interruptions following earthquakes in Japan, reported an 18 percent sales decline, while Ford sales fell by 6 percent.
Japanese companies Toyota, Honda and Nissan reported sales drops of 10 percent, 5 percent and 1 percent, respectively.
Those six companies comprised more than 75 percent of the U.S. auto market in April, according to numbers from The Wall Street Journal.
Volkswagen, which is still hurting more than eight months after its diesel emissions scandal came to light, reported 17 percent fewer vehicles sold last month. For the year to date, VW sales were off by 13 percent compared to the same period last year.
