STELLANTIS: U.S. sales falter amid chip shortage

U.S. sales at Stellantis dipped 19 percent in the third quarter as the global chip shortage undermined production and dealer stockpiles.

Maserati was the only brand that posted a sales increase in the quarter, with deliveries rising an estimated 43 percent to 2,000.

Through nine months, U.S. sales are up 3.5 percent at the company, reflecting gains at Jeep and Ram — the automaker's two biggest brands — as well as at Alfa Romeo and Maserati.

The Grand Cherokee L, Jeep's first three-row offering in the midsize segment, went on sale over the summer. The electrified Wrangler 4xe, according to Stellantis and dealers, has been moving well since its debut earlier this year.

The Jeep lineup will get another boost this year from the two-row version of the redesigned Grand Cherokee, which also has a plug-in hybrid variant that'll hit stores in early 2022. The Grand Cherokoee had its second-best third quarter since 1993.

Brands in the third quarter: Alfa Romeo, down 10%; Chrysler, down 51%; Dodge, down 32%; Fiat, down 64%; Jeep, down 11%; Maserati, up an estimated 43%; Ram, down 17%

Notable nameplates: Jeep Wrangler, down 15%; Gladiator, up 2.3%; Grand Cherokee, up 45%; Ram pickups, down 22%; Chrysler 300, up 13%; Pacifica, down 58%; Dodge Charger, off 18%; Challenger, down 14%; Alfa Romeo Giulia, down 17%; Stelvio, down 5.4%

Q3 incentives: $2,892 per vehicle, down 41% from a year earlier, TrueCar says.

Q3 average transaction price: $47,641, up 12% from a year earlier, according to TrueCar.

Fleet mix: 15%

Quote: "While the various supply chain issues facing our industry continue to impact available inventory, we know the demand for our vehicles is still there," said U.S. Head of Sales Jeff Kommor, in a statement.

Did you know? Jim Morrison, Jeep's North American vice president, told Automotive News that the premium Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer SUVs began shipping to dealers last weekend.