AUBURN HILLS, Mich. - Chrysler Group LLC today reported U.S. sales of 133,521 units, a 40 percent increase compared with sales in February 2011 (95,102 units), and the group’s best February sales since 2008.
Chrysler Group outpaced the industry in February with its 23rd-consecutive month of year-over-year sales gains. The company has beaten the industry average sales increase in each of the last 12 months. It was Chrysler Group’s ninth-consecutive month of sales gains of at least 20 percent.
In February, every Chrysler Group model in production for more than 12 months posted a year-over-year sales gain. The Chrysler brand led the way with a solid 114 percent increase. The FIAT brand finished its first year of sales with its best month ever. Sales of the Fiat 500 were up 69 percent in February compared with the previous month.
“Our product portfolio now contains some of the most fuel-efficient vehicles in our company’s history driving our sales up 40 percent in February,” said Reid Bigland, President and CEO – Dodge Brand and Head of U.S. Sales. “A few years ago higher fuel prices were a major threat to our total vehicle sales whereas today those higher prices have become far less of an issue. We now have 13 vehicles with an EPA-rated highway fuel economy of 25 miles per gallon or higher, and six of those vehicles get 31 mpg or higher.”
Another strong showing by its sedans fueled Chrysler Group’s 40 percent increase in February. The Chrysler 300 flagship sedan and Chrysler 200 mid-size sedan each posted triple-digit sales gains, while the Dodge Charger and Avenger sports sedans each logged healthy year-over-year increases. Sales of the Chrysler 300 were up 480 percent in February, the full-size sedan’s fourth-consecutive month with triple-digit gains.
Both the Jeep® and Dodge brands posted year-over-year sales increases in February. All five Jeep brand models posted double-digit percentage sales gains, led by the Jeep Grand Cherokee’s 47 percent increase. The three-row Dodge Durango SUV, the Dodge Journey full-size crossover and the Dodge Grand Caravan minivan each posted year-over-year sales gains in the double digits.
Ram pickup truck sales also were up 21 percent in February, the truck’s 22nd-consecutive month of year-over-year sales gains.
Chrysler Group finished the month with a 66-days supply of inventory (354,928 units). U.S. industry sales figures for February are projected at an estimated 14.9 million units Seasonally Adjusted Annual Rate (SAAR).