FCA US LLC, Ford Motor Co., and General Motors Co. posted modest, single-digit sales increases in November, with sales of crossovers and trucks leading the way.
FCA reported a 3 percent increase in sales (175,974 units) in November compared with the same month last year, the automaker’s best November in 15 years.
“Despite having two less selling days this November, FCA US still recorded its best November sales since 2000 and our 68th-consecutive month of year-over-year sales increases,” says Reid Bigland, head of U.S. sales for FCA US. “The favorable IOU environment of low interest rates, oil prices, and unemployment, coupled with our strongest product line up ever, continues to be a significant driver of FCA sales.”
Bigland says the Jeep brand posted a 20 percent increase in sales in November compared year over year, the largest sales gain of any FCA brand. The Jeep Cherokee, Compass, Patriot, and Wrangler each recorded their best November sales ever.
The Chrysler Town and Country minivan saw a 20 percent sales gain, the largest percentage year-over-year increase of any FCA US vehicle. The Dodge Challenger, Dodge Journey, and Ram pickup truck also posted their best November sales ever.
The Fiat brand saw a 3 percent decrease in November sales compared year over year, and the Chrysler brand also posted a decrease of 12 percent compared to November 2014.
Ford reported a .4 percent increase in November sales (187,794 units) when compared to November 2014.
“We saw strong customer demand for our cars and SUVs with the latest technology and sold a very rich mix in November,” says Mark LaNeve, vice president of U.S. marketing, sales, and service at Ford. “F-Series and commercial vans also were very strong, with an 18 percent gain for the month and our best November sales performance for Ford Trucks in eight years.”
LaNeve says F-Series sales were up 10 percent compared to November 2014, and commercial van sales increased nearly 60 percent in November compared year over year.
The all-new Edge saw a 6 percent increase in sales, while Explorer sales increased 1 percent compared year over year, its best November since 2004.
The Lincoln brand saw sales decrease by nearly 2.5 percent compared year over year, with the Navigator and the MKC posting the largest decreases in sales.
GM saw a sales increase of 2 percent in November (229,296 vehicles units) compared year over year.
“The phenomenal growth of crossovers in a record-setting market is the biggest sales story of 2015,” says Kurt McNeil, U.S. vice president of sales operations at GM. “Buick was one of the pioneers of the fast-growing small crossover segment with the Encore. Chevrolet’s crossover sales growth is far outpacing the rest of the industry, thanks to the Trax, Equinox and Traverse. And the GMC Terrain is on track to have its best year ever.”
McNeil says sales of Chevrolet trucks rose 10 percent in November compared to the same month last year, while Chevrolet crossover sales were up 35 percent compared year over year.
He says sales of the GMC Yukon and Yukon XL were up 23 percent and 30 percent, respectively, compared year over year, while the GMC Terrain saw sales increase 16 percent in November, its best November ever.
Buick Enclave crossover sales were up nearly 10 percent in November compared year over year, while Cadillac SRX sales were up more than 50 percent in November.
