FCA December 2016 Sales down 10%

[Anthony]

FCA US Reports 2016 December and Full-year U.S. Sales

 

• Ram Truck brand sales increase 10 percent compared with same month last year
• Sales of the all-new Chrysler Pacifica up 18 percent compared with previous month of November; the minivan’s best sales month of 2016
• Four Jeep® brand vehicles record sales increases in December; Jeep Renegade sales up 39 percent
• Ram Truck and Jeep brands both record full-year sales increases in 2016 versus 2015

January 4, 2017 , Auburn Hills, Mich. - FCA US LLC today reported U.S. sales of 192,519 units, a 10 percent decrease compared with sales in December 2015 (213,923 units).

For the full year, the Ram Truck and Jeep® brands each recorded year-over-year sales gains versus sales in 2015. FCA US full-year sales were flat in 2016 compared with sales in 2015.

In December, fleet sales of 36,532 units were down 34 percent year over year as FCA US continues its strategy of reducing its sales to the daily rental segment. Fleet sales represented 19 percent of total FCA US sales in the month. FCA US retail sales of 155,987 units were down 2 percent year over year in December, and represented 81 percent of total sales for the month.

Ram Truck brand sales were up 10 percent in December as the Ram pickup truck and the Ram ProMaster van posted year-over-year increases. Four Jeep brand models recorded increases in December, led by a 39 percent increase in Jeep Renegade sales. With its 13 percent increase, the Jeep Grand Cherokee turned in its best sales month of the year. The all-new 2017 Chrysler Pacifica minivan posted an 18 percent sales gain compared with the previous month of November.

Ram Truck Brand
Ram Truck brand sales, which include the Ram pickup, Ram ProMaster and Ram ProMaster City, were up 10 percent in December versus the same month in 2015. The pickup truck posted a 15 percent year-over-year sales gain while the ProMaster recorded a 13 percent increase in December, the large van’s second best sales month of 2016.

For the full year, Ram Truck brand sales were up 11 percent compared with sales in 2015. The pickup truck turned in a 9 percent year-over-year increase in 2016, while the ProMaster and ProMaster City vans each posted a 45 percent increase in 2016 versus 2015.

 

Jeep Brand
Jeep brand sales were down 6 percent in December compared with the same month a year ago. However, four Jeep brand models posted sales increases in the month, led by the Jeep Renegade and its 39 percent year-over-year sales gain. The Jeep Grand Cherokee, with its 13 percent increase, turned in its best sales month of 2016. The Jeep Wrangler and Jeep Compass posted December increases as well.

For the full year, Jeep brand sales were up 6 percent compared with sales in 2015. Four Jeep brand vehicles – the Jeep Grand Cherokee, Jeep Compass, Jeep Patriot, and Jeep Renegade – posted year-over-year increases for the full year. With sales of 212,273 units, the Grand Cherokee was the volume leader of the Jeep brand in 2016.

Dodge Brand
Dodge brand sales were down 21 percent in December compared with the same month a year ago. However, Dodge Challenger sales increased 15 percent in December versus the same month in 2015, while Dodge Journey sales were up 25 percent. The Dodge brand last month unveiled the new 2017 Dodge Challenger GT, the world’s first and only all-wheel-drive American muscle coupe. The Challenger GT joins the Dodge Charger AWD to complete the Dodge lineup of all-wheel-drive muscle cars, delivering unparalleled year-round performance.

For the full year, the Dodge Grand Caravan minivan and the Dodge Durango full-size SUV each posted sales increases compared with sales in 2015.

Chrysler Brand
Chrysler brand sales were down 32 percent in December compared with the same month a year ago. However, sales of the all-new 2017 Chrysler Pacifica minivan posted an 18 percent sales increase compared with the previous month of November. It was the Pacifica’s best sales month of the year. In addition, the Pacifica in December landed on the Car and Driver “10Best” list and earned a 2017 Top Safety Pick+ rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). In its first year on sale, the Pacifica posted sales of 62,366 units. Also, the new 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 hybrid propulsion system used in the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid last month made the Wards 10 Best Engines list for 2017.

FIAT Brand
FIAT brand sales, which include the Fiat 500, Fiat 500L, Fiat 500X and Fiat 124 Spider, were down 54 percent in December. For the full year, the 500X posted a 3 percent sales increase compared with sales in 2015. The 500X delivers the Italian design and engaging driving dynamics that are synonymous with the FIAT brand. The 500X offers an advanced all-wheel-drive system, functionality, and a full array of safety, comfort and convenience features.

 

[RichardJensen]

Ok

 

Granted, no one else was nibbling at Chrysler in '09, not even Nissan/Renault - so, beggars can't be choosers, but:

 

Just think of all of the free cash that Chrysler has spun off over the past five years (gross margins)--and think about how much of that was plowed into debt service for Fiat (Chrysler had minimal debts after the reorg), and launching Alfa.

 

It's hard to imagine a scenario that would've worked out worse for Chrysler this side of outright liquidation.

[rmc523]

Ok

 

Granted, no one else was nibbling at Chrysler in '09, not even Nissan/Renault - so, beggars can't be choosers, but:

 

Just think of all of the free cash that Chrysler has spun off over the past five years (gross margins)--and think about how much of that was plowed into debt service for Fiat (Chrysler had minimal debts after the reorg), and launching Alfa.

 

It's hard to imagine a scenario that would've worked out worse for Chrysler this side of outright liquidation.

 

You mean those 29 Guilia sales don't make up for the investment?

[630land]

Alfa is sure on the way to be "the next Audi" by 2018!! aka Next year!

 

And according to Mopar fan boys, once they rebadge Alfa Giulias for Dodge, and bring the Mexican Neon, they will "tear up the market!". "Just wait!"

 

 

Jeep needs a better home.

[atomcat68]

Other than Jeep they have:

 

The "mainstream brand" Chrysler which consists of a Minivan and a full sized car which are both declining markets.

 

The "performance brand" which sells 2 stale SUV/CUV models, a previous generation minivan, one sedan which is a full sized and declining market, but at least one cool coupe.

 

Fiat which used to sell 5000 cars a month with one model and now sells half that with 4... and to add insult to injury the oldest model is the best selling one!

 

Alfa... Hahahahahahaha!

[ehaase]

Alfa is sure on the way to be "the next Audi" by 2018!! aka Next year!

 

And according to Mopar fan boys, once they rebadge Alfa Giulias for Dodge, and bring the Mexican Neon, they will "tear up the market!". "Just wait!"

 

 

Jeep needs a better home.

I don't see any euphoria or optimism on the allpar forums. The main justification for the Neon is that with the old Patriot and Compass gone, the American brands will no longer have a low priced car. The Neon would give the dealers a low priced car, and it does appear to a competent little sedan.

[twintornados]

With the new administration incoming on 1/20/17, I don't think you will see Neon coming across the border anytime soon...

[silvrsvt]

I don't see any euphoria or optimism on the allpar forums. The main justification for the Neon is that with the old Patriot and Compass gone, the American brands will no longer have a low priced car. The Neon would give the dealers a low priced car, and it does appear to a competent little sedan.

 

 

The problem is that Dodge/Chrysler haven't had a small car for sale for while..the Neon went away 12 years ago and was replaced by the awful Caliber stationwagon looking thing...people don't even consider them for a small car these days and the Dart and 200 where beset by either being too big or too small for their respective marketplaces.

[silvrsvt]

With the new administration incoming on 1/20/17, I don't think you will see Neon coming across the border anytime soon...

 

The Neon comes from Turkey, which makes me wonder if it would be even worthwhile to ship to the US considering Euro to USD exchange rate.

[twintornados]

 

The Neon comes from Turkey, which makes me wonder if it would be even worthwhile to ship to the US considering Euro to USD exchange rate..

.

Well, since they are already sending them to Mexico, what would it take to load a few on a transporter and drive 'em across the border other than the new administrations desire to convince them to build it here....maybe Magna or AM General could build it for 'em. I know for a fact that Magna has a huge (and empty) plant in Syracuse NY that could spit out some Neons.

 

PS: In Mexico, the Dodge Neon sells for $233,900 pesos or $10,510.43 in US dollars.

Edited January 5, 2017 by twintornados

[silvrsvt]

 

PS: In Mexico, the Dodge Neon sells for $233,900 pesos or $10,510.43 in US dollars.

 

Damn thats cheap

 

But a Nissan Versa is 178K Pesos ($8,284.54 USD) in Mexico or $11990 in the US...so there is something going on there with the pricing to have nearly 1/4 of the car cost price difference.

[630land]

These Neons have poor crash ratings, would need a lot to meet US regs.

 

Better off getting a used car.

[tbone]

 

The Neon comes from Turkey, which makes me wonder if it would be even worthwhile to ship to the US considering Euro to USD exchange rate.

Not to mention the major political instability they have right now.

[fuzzymoomoo]

Not to mention the major political instability they have right now.

wasn't that the reason why they moved Transit Connect to Spain?

[bzcat]

 

Damn thats cheap

 

But a Nissan Versa is 178K Pesos ($8,284.54 USD) in Mexico or $11990 in the US...so there is something going on there with the pricing to have nearly 1/4 of the car cost price difference.

 

Safety equipment, or the lack there of. It's amazing how much cost you can strip out if you eliminate passenger side airbag, ABS, front and side impact reinforcements in safety cell and doors, seat belt pre-tensioner etc.

[bzcat]

 

The Neon comes from Turkey, which makes me wonder if it would be even worthwhile to ship to the US considering Euro to USD exchange rate.

 

Euro is reaching US$ parity, which makes a fantastic time to export from Euro zone. 1€ used to cost $1.30 in 2014 (at one point during the Bush economy meltdown it was over $1.60) now only cost $1.05.

 

But Turkey doesn't use Euro and I don't know what currency FCA does its accounting (it is UK based entity).

Edited January 5, 2017 by bzcat

[rperez817]

But Turkey doesn't use Euro and I don't know what currency FCA does its accounting (it is UK based entity).

 

FCA is incorporated as a Naamloze vennootschap in the Netherlands. Operations HQ is London. They use Euro for financial accounting.

[silvrsvt]

Whats happening at FCA now...

 

 

 

Safety equipment, or the lack there of. It's amazing how much cost you can strip out if you eliminate passenger side airbag, ABS, front and side impact reinforcements in safety cell and doors, seat belt pre-tensioner etc.

 

I'd think some of that wouldn't be worthwhile removing because it would upset production too much...I haven't looked at the breakdown between the MX Versa and US Spec Versa...all I know is the Versa has the uglest headlights on a car on the planet now...they remind me of Steve buscemi eyes

 

 

Euro is reaching US$ parity, which makes a fantastic time to export from Euro zone. 1€ used to cost $1.30 in 2014 (at one point during the Bush economy meltdown it was over $1.60) now only cost $1.05.

 

I noticed that the other day...I got something off Ebay and was pleasantly suprised at how "cheap" it was considering the shipping (which is normally incredibly stupid)

[akirby]

It sure was nice not having to add sales tax or tips and dealing mostly with whole Euros while we were on our mediterranean cruise in 2015.

[630land]

Minivans are not "dying", just not top sellers. If they were, Toyota and Honda would have dropped theirs ages ago. A new Odyssey is coming this spring, too.

 

But, I agree that non-luxury full size cars are fading away in US. If spending full size money, buyers either want a truck/UV or a real luxury make. The Continental is a hit, but no Taurus version is coming, only in China.