The numbers are out. FCA US LLC today reported U.S. sales of 199,819 vehicles, a 15% increase compared with sales in September 2017 of 174,266 vehicles.
FCA US total sales and retail sales both posted their best performance in September in 18 years. The September total sales record was in 2000 when sales reached 219,966 vehicles. Retail sales of 149,713 vehicles were the highest level since 2000 when retail sales hit 189,794. Sales were driven by Ram pickup trucks, Jeep® Cherokee and Jeep Compass. Fleet accounted for 25% of total sales.
“Our Ram and Jeep brands propelled both our retail and total sales to their highest levels in 18 years,” said Reid Bigland, Head of U.S. Sales.
The Ram brand had a raise of 9% over the previous year with 56,447 units sold during the month of September. It was the second best month of sales, since last month’s record of 54,808 units. It was the highest September since the brand was formed in 2009. Ram 1500 retail sales rose 11% or 30,498 units for the month, while a total sales also rose 18% to 36,658 units. This made September the best retail sales month ever for the Ram 1500.
Dodge had an amazing month in September. The brand sales were up 41% as 42,101 units were sold. The brand was pushed by the still popular Dodge Journey crossover with an increase of 48% in sales. Dodge Challenger sales also rose 14% for the month. While the Dodge Grand Caravan also saw an increase with 13,829 units sold for the month, which is 344% better than it did the same time last year. Dodge also was able to sell 11 left over Dodge Dart models and 1 Dodge Viper last month.
The Chrysler brand struggled during the month of September. Sales were down 7% over the same time period last year. The brand managed to sell 4,022 Chrysler 300s during the month, while Chrysler Pacifica sales were down 2% over this time last year with 10,629. Chrysler also did manage to sell 31 remaining inventory Chrysler 200 vehicles for the month. The brand sold 1 left over Chrysler Town & Country as well.
While the FIAT brand has been introducing updated vehicles like the 2019 500 turbo lineup and are on the brink of releasing a revamped 2019 500X model, it couldn’t come any sooner. The brand had a huge decline in sales prior to the previous time last year, with a drop of 46% in sales. The brand only pushed 1,185 units for the month of September. Both the 500X and 124 Spider sold 286 units for the month, while 589 Fiat 500 models were sold. The 500L struggled with a 60% decline over the previous September with only 84 units leaving showrooms.
The other Italian-based Mopar brand, Alfa Romeo had a 27% increase in sales compared to the previous September this month. The Alfa Romeo Stelvio sold 864 units for the month. The Stelvio was the best-selling vehicle for the brand. The Giuila sedan moved 756 units of showrooms, however it was a 17% decrease over the same time period last year. The brand also had 19 Alfa Romeo 4C models sold during last month. That was also a decrease of 17% over September 2017 sales of 23 units.
The Jeep brand had a 14% increase in sales over September 2017 or sales of 83,764 units. It was the ninth consecutive time that the Jeep brand has set a record for total sales and the sixth time this year that the brand has surpassed 80,000. The refreshed 2019 Jeep Cherokee helped push Cherokee sales to lead the brand with 23,836 units sold for the month, an 87% increase over last year. Grand Cherokee was the second best seller for the brand in September with 19,312 units. The Jeep Compass had a stellar month with a 46% increase in sales, with 16,525 units sold. Wrangler sales were up 2% over the same time last year with 15,983 units sold. Amazingly, Jeep also managed to 9 left over Jeep Patriot models during the month as well.
You can see the official sales list for the United States broke down by vehicle, HERE:
