AUBURN HILLS — Chrysler Group LLC Wednesday reported U.S. sales of 126,089 units, a 13 percent increase compared with sales in July 2011 (112,026 units), and the group’s best July sales since 2007.
The Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Ram Truck, and FIAT brands each posted sales increases in July compared with the same month a year ago. Chrysler Group recorded its 28th-consecutive month of year-over-year sales gains in July. The Chrysler brand led the way with its 35 percent sales gain, the largest percentage increase of any Chrysler Group brand in July.
“July was another solid month for Chrysler Group,” said Reid Bigland, president and CEO of Dodge Brand and Head of U.S. Sales. “We announced a second quarter modified operating profit of $755 million, representing our highest quarterly profits in more than a decade.”
Chrysler Group’s 13 percent sales increase was driven in part by two models that set sales records for the month of July: the Chrysler 200 mid-size sedan and the Dodge Journey full-size crossover. Sales of the award-winning Journey were up 69 percent, the largest percentage increase of any Chrysler Group model in July.
Also contributing to Chrysler Group’s July increase were the Ram pickup truck, the group’s volume leader, with its 17 percent sales increase, and the Chrysler 300 flagship sedan with a solid 41 percent gain. Sales of the Jeep Grand Cherokee, the most awarded SUV ever, were up 22 percent. The Jeep Liberty mid-size SUV recorded a 34 percent sales increase, the largest year-over-year percentage sales gain of any Jeep model in July.
Chrysler Group finished the month with a 65-days supply of inventory (341,699 units). U.S. industry sales figures for July are projected at an estimated 14 million units Seasonally Adjusted Annual Rate (SAAR).
