AUBURN HILLS – Chrysler Group Thursday reported its best December sales since 2007 with 152,367 units, up 10 percent from the same month a year ago.
The Chrysler, Dodge, Ram Truck and FIAT brands each posted year-over-year sales gains in December compared with the same month last year. The FIAT brand?s 59 percent increase was the largest sales gain of any Chrysler Group brand for the month. December marked Chrysler Group?s 33rd-consecutive month of year-over-year sales gains.
For the year, Chrysler Group sales totaled 1,651,787 units, up 21 percent compared with sales in 2011. The Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Ram Truck and FIAT brands each recorded significant sales gains during 2012 compared with sales in the previous year. The Jeep brand?s 13 percent sales increase in the U.S. helped push its global sales to an all-time record in 2012. Seven Chrysler Group models set annual sales records in 2012.
Dart sales were up 36 percent month-over-month in December, the compact car?s best monthly sales performance since it went on sale in June. Also contributing to Chrysler Group?s 10 percent increase were the Fiat 500, Jeep Wrangler, Dodge Challenger, Dodge Journey, and Ram Cargo Van, each setting a sales record for the month of December. The Jeep Grand Cherokee ? the most awarded SUV ever ? recorded its best sales performance of the year in December.
Chrysler Group finished the month with a 72-days supply of inventory (426,664 units). U.S. industry sales figures for December are projected at an estimated 15.8 million units Seasonally Adjusted Annual Rate (SAAR).
