Auto Manufacturers Defy Expectations And Maintain Sales Gains For Year
Chrysler Group LLC reported July 3 on U.S. sales of 144,811 units, representing a twenty percent increase compared with sales in June 2011 (120,394 units), and the group’s best June sales since 2007.
The Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Ram Truck, and FIAT brands each posted sales increases in June compared with the same month a year ago. Chrysler Group recorded its twenty-seventh-consecutive month of year-over-year sales gains in June. Chrysler Group’s second-quarter sales were up twenty-four percent versus the same period last year.
Chrysler Group finished the month with a sixty-seven-days' supply of inventory (358,260 units). U.S. industry sales figures for June are projected at an estimated 14.4 million units Seasonally Adjusted Annual Rate (SAAR).
Ford Motor Company’s U.S. sales are up seven percent so far this year, with 1.14 million vehicles sold. June sales also increased seven percent from last year, with 207,759 vehicles sold.
Ford sales are increasing across the company’s lineup – with cars up three percent, utilities up nine percent and trucks up nine percent year to date.
In June, the Ford Escape set an any-month record – with sales up twenty-eight percent – while the Ford Fusion set a record for June. Ford Explorer sales were up 35 percent from last year, and F-Series sales are up eleven percent and topped 50,000 for the first June in five years.
Other sales milestones in June: Explorer sales are up thirty-five percent; Edge sales are up six percent; and the F-Series sold 55,025 pickups. F-Series remains America’s number one selling vehicle in the first half of 2012.
General Motors Co. reported June sales of 248,750 vehicles in the United States, up sixteen percent year-over-year and the company’s highest sales since September 2008. Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, and Cadillac all reported double-digit increases.
For the month, GM passenger car sales were up twelve percent year over year, thanks to a thirty-two percent increase in Chevrolet Malibu sales and a twenty-one percent increase in Buick LaCrosse sales.
Combined sales of all seven Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, and Cadillac crossovers were up thirty percent versus a year ago.
Truck sales were up eleven percent, with all pickup, van, and SUV segments up year-over-year.
Retail deliveries were up eight percent year-over-year. Fleet deliveries were up thirty-six percent versus a year ago due in part to the timing of customer deliveries. In July, fleet volumes and mix are expected be down month-over-month and year-over-year.