Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA US) released their sales numbers for the month of February in the United States, today. It was no surprise that the Ram and Jeep® brands continue to break records, even despite a month of bitter weather across much of the key regions for the brands. However, overall the sales for the United States were down 2% over the same time period last year.
FCA US had 162,026 leave showroom floors for new homes, during the month. FCA US noted that some of that decrease was due to the Jeep brand sales, after benefiting from having the 2018 Jeep Wrangler (JK) and 2018 Jeep Wrangler (JL) models being in showrooms at the same time. But while Jeep overall sales were down for the month, the Jeep Cherokee (KL) had its February sales month ever.
The Ram Truck brand also had another record month as well. Ram Trucks had an increase of 24% over the same time period last year. If you remember, that was about the time that we started to see the all-new 2019 Ram 1500 hit showrooms. FCA US also stated that Heavy Duty pickup sales were also up. With the new 2019 Ram Heavy Duty models hitting showrooms now, Ram has put a lot of good incentives on the 2018 model year inventory.
“The overall industry is starting off slower due in part to weather, the U.S. government shutdown and concern over tax refunds,” U.S. Head of Sales Reid Bigland said. “We still see a strong, stable economy and anticipate any lost winter sales will be made up in the spring. For us, the Ram brand was the standout in February, and Jeep Cherokee set a February record as well.”
So let’s take a look at the overall month, broke down by brand…
Jeep® Brand:
Despite sales for February being down 2% over the same time period last year, the Jeep brand was able to sell 67,075 vehicles in the United States. Leading the way for the brand, was the Jeep Grand Cherokee with 18,009 units sold for the month (up 3% over the previous February). Not too far behind was the Jeep Cherokee with 16,020 units (up 31% over the same time last year). The Jeep Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited models accounted to 15,001 of the total Jeep sales total for the month (down 6% over last February). Compass had another solid month, with 12,063 units of the compact SUV leaving lots (down 25% over last February). The compact Renegade struggled in February, despite the release of the updated 2019 models. Only 5,909 Renegades left dealer showrooms for the month of February (down 28% over the same time last year). Jeep also sold 3 left over Jeep Patriot units in dealer inventory during the month.
The most interesting thing on the sales report was the addition of 70 units of the all-new 2020 Jeep Gladiator mid-size truck, sold during the month of February. We reached out to FCA US, asking about the sales of the Gladiator units and they told us that they were sales to FCA US employees. The vehicle will still be launched in the second quarter of this year.
Ram Brand:
Sales rose 24% for the month of February for the Ram brand, with a sales total in the United States of 45,542. This marks the second consecutive month of being up 24% over the same time the previous year for the brand. Of course leading the way was the Ram Pickup lineup with 39,950 units sold during the month (up 20% over the same time last year). Ram also sold 4,632 of its Ram ProMaster vans during the month (which was up a whopping 107% over the same time last year). The Ram ProMaster City, did see a 20% decrease in sales over its total last February, with only 960 of the vans leaving lots.
Dodge Brand:
The Dodge brand happened to sell 37,073 units for the month of February in the United States. However, that was down 8% over the same time period last year. Leading the way for the Dodge brand was the Dodge Grand Caravan with almost one-third of total sales for the brand with 12,521 units leaving dealer lots. The Dodge Journey was the second most popular Dodge vehicle sold during the month, with 8,258 units finding new homes (up 73% over the same time last year). The Dodge Charger was next with 6,547 units leaving showrooms (down 13% over last February’s totals). Hot on it’s heels was the Dodge Durango with 6,105 units of the performance SUV going home with customers (up 17% over last February). The Challenger despite having an all-wheel drive option for winter drivers, had a 40% decrease in sales over the same time last year with only 3,639 units leaving lots. Dealers were also to sell 3 leftover Dodge Darts from their inventories for the month.
Chrysler Brand:
The Chrysler brand also had a disappointing month. The brand’s overall sales fell 36% compared to February 2018. The Pacifica led the way with 7,854 of the minivans leaving dealers. That was down 32% over last year. The Chrysler 300 Series had a decrease as well, with only 2,508 vehicles finding new homes (down 44% over the previous year’s numbers). Both vehicles did have better sales numbers than January. Chrysler dealers were able to sell 6 leftover Chrysler 200 Series models in dealer inventories during the month as well.
Fiat Brand:
FCA US’ Italian mainstream brand continues its decline in sales, despite several revised products in the 2019 model year lineup. The Fiat brand sold 616 units in United States for the month of February. That was down 50% over the same time last year. Leading the way was the Fiat 500X crossover, which revised 2019 models are just hitting showrooms. Only 219 of the Fiat 500X models left dealer lots during the month (down 55% over the same time last year). The Fiat 500 was the second best selling Fiat vehicle during the month, despite sales dropping 50% over the same time last year with a total of 207. The Fiat 124 Spider had 139 units of the sporty roadster leave lots during February (down 38% over the same time last year). While the Fiat 500L, struggled with a decrease of 57% over last February’s sales with only 51 units leaving dealers.
Alfa Romeo Brand:
FCA US’ premium performance lineup also seen a decrease during the month of February, with sales in the United States of 1,362 (down 13% over last February). Leading the way for the brand was the Alfa Romeo Stelvio SUV, which was up 1% over the same time period last year with 700 units. Not too far behind was the Giuila sedan with 646 units sold for the month of February (down 24% over the same time last year). While the Alfa 4C had 16 units leave dealer lots (down 20% over last February).
Overall, we are still seeing that value is driving a lot of the sales for models such as the Dodge Journey and Dodge Grand Caravan. Dodge’s Grand Caravan continues to outsell the much more modern and luxurious Chrysler Pacifica, showing that customers want value over the latest product.
