DETROIT -- Record Jeep and Ram pickup volume pushed Fiat Chrysler’s U.S. sales up 1.7 percent in August, offsetting stiff drops at the Dodge and Chrysler brands.
The automaker reported sales in the U.S. of 201,672. It’s the second month this year, after May, that deliveries topped 200,000, and FCA’s 65th consecutive month of year over year sales gains.
Jeep brand sales continued their record run, with the Wrangler, Cherokee, Patriot and Compass all recording their highest sales for the month of August. Jeep deliveries jumped 18 percent in August and topped 80,000 sales in a month for the first time in the brand’s 74-year history.
Ram brand volume climbed 6.1 percent in August on a 3.5 percent increase in sales of the Ram pickup line, which recorded its best August sales ever. Sales of the full-size Ram ProMaster commercial van surged 91 percent.
The Fiat brand squeaked out a 0.8 percent gain for the month as sales of the newly introduced 500X crossover offset a 38 percent decline in 500 minicar volume.
Weaker minivan deliveries continues to drag down both the Dodge and Chrysler brands.
Chrysler brand sales fell 14 percent in August despite a 30 percent increase in sales of the Chrysler 200 sedan. Dragging the brand down were sales of the Town & Country minivan, which fell 47 percent, and the 300 sedan, which fell 15 percent.
Dodge Grand Caravan sales also fell 18 percent in August, joining the Dart, Charger and Durango in posting lower volume. The brand as a whole fell 15 percent for the month.
FCA US said it finished the month with a 74-day supply of unsold vehicles on hand.
