STELLANTIS: 7-quarter slide comes to a close

Stellantis' U.S. sales rose 6 percent in the second quarter, breaking a streak of seven consecutive quarterly declines, though the Jeep brand is still looking for better traction as the overall market rebounds sharply from the pandemic and chronic parts shortages.

Sales by Jeep, Stellantis' biggest brand, slipped 3 percent, marking its eighth straight quarterly decline. While the brand was down overall, the Wrangler 4xe plug-in hybrid had its best quarter ever as deliveries jumped 56 percent from a year earlier. But overall volume of the Wrangler, Jeep's No. 2 seller after the Grand Cherokee, dropped.

The Wrangler 4xe is America's bestselling plug-in hybrid, followed by the Grand Cherokee 4xe at No. 2. Sales of the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid, No. 4 among plug-ins, more than doubled in the quarter.

Ram, with flat pickup sales and higher van sales, ended a streak of seven quarterly declines.

Dodge, Chrysler and Ram each achieved sales gains in the quarter, with Dodge attaining the highest increase at 37 percent. The Durango stood out for the muscle brand after sales more than tripled to 19,642. Dodge's sales were up for a fourth consecutive quarter.

Brands: Jeep, down 3%; Ram, up 3%; Alfa Romeo, down 25%; Chrysler, up 33%; Dodge, up 37%; Fiat, down 42%

Notable nameplates: Jeep Compass, up 28%; Wrangler, down 13%; Gladiator, down 34%; Grand Cherokee, up 19%; Ram pickup, flat; Chrysler Pacifica, up 40%; Dodge Charger, up 7%; Challenger, down 11%; Durango, up 223%; Alfa Romeo Giulia, down 27%; Stelvio down 30%

Quote: "We saw increased demand this quarter as market conditions continue to improve and our dealer network makes the necessary adjustments to drive sales growth across our brand portfolios," Jeff Kommor, head of U.S. sales for Stellantis, said in a statement. "The Jeep Wrangler 4xe recorded its best quarter to date and retains its ranking as the best-selling plug-in hybrid in the U.S., with the Grand Cherokee 4xe at No. 2 and the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid at No. 4. We're also seeing extremely positive results from the quality side, with the Dodge, Ram and Alfa Romeo brands owning the top 3 spots in the J.D. Power 2023 U.S. Initial Quality Study."

Did you know? Deliveries of the limited edition 2023 Chrysler 300C, which is powered by a 6.4-liter, 485-hp V-8 Hemi engine, began in the second quarter.