Fiat Chrysler’s sales dove more than 10 percent in October as sales of the Chrysler 200 cratered to their lowest levels in five years and despite Ram brand sales climbing 12 percent.
Ram was the single FCA US brand to show an increase in sales in October, as even the once-hot Jeep brand’s sales fell by 6.7 percent. Overall, FCA reported U.S. sales at 176,609, its second consecutive monthly decrease. The company said fleet sales accounted for 23 percent of its overall total.
Chrysler brand sales plunged 45 percent from the previous October as sales of the 200 sedan -- scheduled to end production next month -- dropped 69 percent to its lowest monthly level since shortly after it changed its name from Sebring. The rest of the brand’s lineup didn’t fare much better, as sales of the 300 were down 29 percent and sales of the new Pacifica minivan failed to cover the previous sales of the Town & Country minivan.
Dodge brand sales fell 16 percent, with only the Journey recording a sizeable sales gain and the Viper selling one more vehicle this October -- 62 to 61 last year. The rest of the brand’s lineup suffered declines.
Minivan sales, which had been a strength for FCA all year -- up 41 percent -- with the introduction of the 2017 Chrysler Pacifica, fell 23 percent in October.
Jeep sales fell for a second consecutive month, falling 6.7 percent. Grand Cherokee and Patriot sales were up, but couldn’t offset declines from the Cherokee, Compass, Renegade and Wrangler.
Fiat brand sales dropped 24 percent in the month. The 500 minicar was the brand’s best-seller in the month, and its 1,276 sales was just 71 units shy of outselling the brand’s other three vehicles combined.
Ram was FCA’s only bright spot in October, with sales climbing 12 percent. Sales of its pickups climbed 6.9 percent in October, while sales of its large ProMaster commercial vans nearly doubled and sales of its smaller ProMaster City van rose 14 percent.
FCA said it ended the month with 567,462 unsold vehicles in inventory, an 84-day supply.
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