Chrysler Group LLC Reports June 2011 U.S. Sales Increased 30 Percent

All Jeep® and Ram Truck brand models contributed to the 30 percent June sales increase, including the all-new 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee, which posted a 208 percent sales increase, and the 2011 Ram pickup truck with a 35 percent sales gain.

Chrysler Group’s new fuel-efficient models also played a significant role in the June sales increase, including the new 2011 Chrysler 200 mid-size sedan, the new 2011 Jeep Compass compact SUV, and the new 2012 Fiat 500 city car.

“Thanks to our alliance with Fiat, we now have 12 models that have EPA-rated highway fuel economy of 25 miles per gallon or higher, and four of those models get 30 mpg or more,” said Reid Bigland, President and CEO – Dodge Brand and Head of U.S. Sales. “This business is all about product and consumers are rapidly discovering everything we now have. Each Chrysler Group brand is contributing to our success and driving our 46 percent retail sales growth.”

Eight of the 12 models are equipped with Chrysler Group’s newest engine, the Pentastar 3.6-liter V-6, recognized by the editors of Ward’s AutoWorld magazine as one of the “Ten Best” for 2011. With its exceptional fuel economy, reduced emissions and enhanced power, the new Pentastar V-6 is expected to account for more than one-third of the engines in the Chrysler Group product line-up by 2014 and will substantially contribute to achieving an overall corporate fuel efficiency improvement of 25 percent.

The Jeep, Dodge and Ram Truck brands each posted year-over-year sales gains in June. The Jeep brand’s 74 percent increase was the largest of the Chrysler Group brands. Both Chrysler Group’s car and truck sales posted sales gains in June compared with the same month a year ago.

First half 2011 Chrysler Group sales increased 21 percent versus the first half of 2010.

Chrysler Group finished the month with a 68-day supply of inventory (314,065) units. U.S. industry sales figures for June are projected at an estimated 11.8 SAAR.

June 2011 U.S. Sales Highlights by Brand

Jeep® Brand

The Jeep brand continues to roll, posting a 74 percent sales increase in June, the brand’s best sales volume month since March 2008 and its 14th-consecutive month of year-over-year sales gains. All five Jeep brand models posted a sales increase compared with the same month a year ago. The iconic Jeep Wrangler was the best-selling Jeep model in June with sales of 11,290 units, a 27 percent increase. The all-new Jeep Grand Cherokee posted a 208 percent sales increase in June versus the same month in 2010. The new Jeep Compass compact SUV, with a 278 percent sales increase, posted the largest year-over-year percentage sales gain of any Chrysler Group model.

Ram Truck Brand

The Ram Truck brand posted a 34 percent sales increase in June, the brand’s 14th-consecutive month of year-over-year sales gains. Ram pickup truck sales were up 35 percent, compared with the same month in 2010. Both the Light Duty and Heavy Duty pickup trucks, along with the Chassis Cab, saw year-over-year sales gains.

In last month’s J.D. Power and Associates 2011 U.S. Initial Quality Study(SM) (IQS), five Chrysler Group vehicles ranked third or better in their segments for initial quality, including the Dakota pickup truck in the mid-size pickup segment.

The Ram Truck brand launched its new national advertising campaign in June with the tagline – “Guts. Glory. Ram.” – focusing on the proven capability and superiority of the entire product line. The new advertising campaign encompasses broadcast, print, digital and customer relationship initiatives. The new tagline pays homage to the history of the Ram Truck brand and represents the hard work and dedication placed in the design, engineering and production of each and every Ram truck.

Dodge Brand

The Dodge brand, which offers six vehicles that deliver 25 mpg on the highway while retaining Dodge innovation and style, posted a 17 percent sales increase in June, compared with the same month in 2010. The all-new Dodge Durango three-row SUV had its best sales month since appearing in dealership showrooms in late 2010. Durango sales (5,827 units) increased 34 percent versus the previous month of May 2011. The Dodge Grand Caravan, the brand’s volume leader in June with 10,822 units sold, posted a 25 percent sales increase, while sales of the Dodge Challenger muscle car were up 10 percent in June compared with the same month a year ago. Sales of the Dodge Journey crossover were up 17 percent in June.

In June, the Challenger ranked highest in the midsize sporty car segment in the J.D. Power and Associates 2011 U.S. Initial Quality Study(SM). Two other Dodge brand vehicles were highlighted by J.D. Power and Associates for ranking among the top three vehicles of their competitive class: Durango in the mid-size crossover/SUV category (tie) and Grand Caravan in the minivan category.

Chrysler Brand

Sales of the new 2011 Chrysler 200 mid-size sedan, star of the Chrysler brand’s 2011 Super Bowl commercial “Born of Fire,” increased 82 percent in June compared with sales a year ago by the model’s previous generation. The Chrysler brand’s Super Bowl commercial was honored in June with five awards at the Cannes Lions 58th International Festival of Creativity held in Cannes, France. Cannes Lions is the world’s leading celebration of creativity in communications where over 24,000 entries from all over the world are showcased and judged.

In June, the Chrysler Town & Country ranked highest in initial quality in the minivan segment in the J.D. Power and Associates 2011 U.S. Initial Quality Study(SM). IQS measures new vehicle quality at 90 days of ownership. Sales of the Town & Country were up 3 percent compared with the previous month of May 2011. For 2011, every Chrysler brand vehicle is new or significantly refreshed.

June 2011 U.S. Sales Highlights

• Jeep brand sales (36,114 units) increased 74 percent compared with the same month last year (20,731 units)
• Sales of the new 2011 Jeep Compass (4,763 units) were up 278 percent versus June 2010 (1,259 units)
• Jeep Grand Cherokee sales (8,969 units) improved 208 percent compared with June last year (2,912 units)
• Jeep Wrangler sales (11,290 units) increased 27 percent versus June 2010 (8,923 units)
• Jeep Liberty sales (5,252 units) increased 36 percent compared with June last year (3,865 units)
• Jeep Patriot (5,840 units) posted an 77 percent year-over-year sales increase
• Ram Truck brand sales (22,547 units) increased 34 percent compared with the same month last year (16,862 units)
• Ram pickup truck sales (21,362 units) improved 35 percent versus June 2010 (15,864 units)
• Dodge brand sales (43,401 units) were up 17 percent in June compared with June a year ago (36,996 units)
• Dodge Durango sales (5,827 units) increased 34 percent versus the previous month of May 2011
• Dodge Challenger sales (3,384 units) were up 10 percent in June compared with the same month a year ago (3,086 units)
• Dodge Grand Caravan sales (10,822 units) increased 25 percent versus June 2010 (8,658 units)
• Dodge Nitro sales (1,994 units) increased 25 percent compared with June 2010 (1,591 units)
• Sales of the new 2011 Chrysler 200 (7,219 units) were up 82 percent versus sales of the model’s previous generation (3,978 units) in June a year ago
• Fiat 500 sales (1,803 units) were up 3 percent compared with sales during the previous month of May 2011
• Chrysler Group truck sales (88,735 units) improved 42 percent versus June 2010 (62,417 units)
• Chrysler Group car sales (31,659 units) improved 5 percent versus June 2010 (30,065 units) 

SOURCE Chrysler Group LLC