FCA US LLC Reports March 2015 U.S. Sales Increased 2 Percent; Best March Sales Since 2007

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., April 1, 2015 /PRNewswire/ --

• 60th-consecutive month of year-over-year sales gains
• Jeep® brand records best sales month ever; Jeep Cherokee and Jeep Patriot record their best monthly sales ever
• Dodge Dart sales increase 56 percent; best monthly sales ever
• Chrysler 200 sales up 155 percent; best monthly sales ever
• Eight FCA US vehicles post sales records in March 

FCA US LLC today reported U.S. sales of 197,261 units, a 2 percent increase compared with sales in March 2014 (193,915 units), and the group's best March sales since 2007.

The Chrysler, Jeep® and Ram Truck brands each posted year-over-year sales gains in March compared with the same month a year ago. The Jeep brand's 23 percent increase was the largest sales gain of any FCA US brand during the month and its best monthly sales ever. The group extended its streak of year-over-year sales gains to 60-consecutive months.

"March was a tough month, yet we were able to extend our year-over-year sales streak to an even 60-consecutive months," said Reid Bigland, Head of U.S. Sales. "Five years of consecutive monthly year-over-year sales increases is a great symbol of FCA's commitment to continuous improvement and a tremendous source of pride for our entire organization."

Eight FCA US vehicles set records in the month of March, including five vehicles that posted their best monthly sales ever. The Chrysler 200, Dodge Dart, Dodge Journey, Jeep Cherokee, and Jeep Patriot each logged an all-time sales record last month. The 200 mid-size sedan achieved its record with a 155 percent year-over-year increase, the largest percentage increase of any FCA US vehicle in March. In addition, the Jeep Wrangler, Jeep Compass, and Ram ProMaster van each recorded their best ever sales in the month of March.

FCA US finished the month of March with a 73-day supply of inventory (578,648 units). U.S. industry sales figures for March are internally projected at an estimated 17.1 million units Seasonally Adjusted Annual Rate (SAAR).

Jeep® Brand
Jeep brand sales were up 23 percent, the brand's best monthly sales performance ever and its 18th-consecutive month of year-over-year sales gains. The Jeep brand has set a sales record in each month dating back to November 2013. Four of the six Jeep brand vehicles turned in sales records during the month. The Cherokee and Patriot set all-time sales records while the Wrangler and Compass logged their best ever sales in the month of March. With its 41 percent increase, the Patriot had the largest sales percentage gain of any Jeep model for the month. Jeep Grand Cherokee sales were up 5 percent in March compared with the same month a year ago. Sales of the all-new Jeep Renegade began in mid March. The 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT was named Performance Utility Vehicle of Texas last month at the Texas Auto Roundup hosted by the Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA).

Chrysler Brand
Chrysler brand sales increased 15 percent, the brand's best March sales since 2013 and its ninth-consecutive month of year-over-year sales gains. Sales of the Chrysler 200 were up 155 percent in March, the mid-size sedan's best monthly sales ever and the largest year-over-year percentage gain of any FCA US vehicle in March. The new 200 was named Mid-size Sedan of Texas last month at TAWA's Texas Auto Roundup. The 2015 Chrysler 300 flagship sedan was crowned Car of Texas at the same competition.

Ram Truck Brand
Ram Truck brand sales, which include the Ram pickup truck, Ram ProMaster, Ram ProMaster City, and Ram Cargo Van, were up 1 percent, the brand's best March sales since 2007. Sales of the Ram ProMaster increased 112 percent, the full-size van's best March sales since the vehicle was launched in October 2013. Sales of the Ram ProMaster City, which went on sale in January, are ramping up as greater volumes of the compact van arrive at Ram Truck dealerships. Sales of the Ram pickup truck were down 2 percent in March, compared with the same month a year ago. The pickup earned two awards last month. Work Truck magazine named the Ram 4500/5500 Chassis Cab truck as its 2015 Medium-duty Truck of the Year, and the editors of Four Wheeler crowned the Ram Power Wagon as their 2015 Pickup Truck of the Year.

FIAT Brand
Sales of the Fiat 500 were down slightly last month, compared with March a year ago. The 2015 Fiat 500 Abarth was named in March to KBB.com's list of the "10 Coolest Cars Under $25,000." FIAT brand sales, which include the Fiat 500 and 500L, were down 5 percent in March compared with the same month a year ago.

Dodge Brand
The Dart and Journey each posted their best sales months ever. Sales of the Dart were up 56 percent in March, the largest percentage sales gain of any Dodge brand vehicle during the month. The Journey eked out a slight increase in posting its best sales month ever. Dodge brand sales were down 24 percent in March, compared with the same month a year ago, due in part to model changeover at the Windsor Assembly Plant in Windsor, Ontario, where the Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country are built.

Three Dodge brand vehicles took home awards last month from TAWA's annual Texas Auto Roundup: the 2015 Dodge Charger R/T Scat Pack was named Full-size Sedan of Texas; the 2015 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat was the Performance Coupe of Texas, and the 2015 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat was the Performance Sedan of Texas.

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SOURCE FCA US LLC