Chart Of The Day: Fiat Chrysler Automobiles US Is Very Much An SUV-Oriented Automaker

Timothy Cain
by Timothy Cain

Not surprisingly, one of only a couple automakers with an SUV-only auto brand is enjoying record sales at that SUV brand in an era of booming utility vehicle sales.

At this stage in 2013, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles/Chrysler Group was selling more cars in the United States than SUVs and crossovers. Those figures flipped one year later and became even more disparate in the first-quarter of 2015.

More than four out every ten FCA sales in the United States in the first three months of this year were SUVs or crossovers: Jeeps, Dodge Durangos, and Dodge Journeys. We only recently covered the enormity of Jeep’s record-setting March success.

Other factors are shaking up the vehicle mix at FCA dealers, as well, such as the retooling at the company’s minivan plant in Windsor, Ontario, and the increased number of commercial vans available. But with SUV/crossover sales rising 12% across the board in early 2015, it’s no secret that FCA was well positioned to take advantage, and that advantage has seriously rejigged the automaker’s overall U.S. sales figures.

Timothy Cain is the founder of GoodCarBadCar.net, which obsesses over the free and frequent publication of U.S. and Canadian auto sales figures.

Timothy Cain
Timothy Cain

More by Timothy Cain

Comments
Join the conversation
10 of 29 comments
  • Anti121hero Anti121hero on Apr 11, 2015

    Good for them. acquiring amcs remains was one of the best decisions made there, even though the eagle brand fizzled out. The amc designed xj and zj really became a cash cow and great nameplate to grow with, and they could still sell the tj and people would buy them, though they have done an amazing job at keeping an outdated platform current with the jk.

  • Ion Ion on Apr 11, 2015

    My first thought was "house of cards". Then I remembered that the 200, the dart and isnt there supposed to be some RWD Dodge/Alfa in the works? I hate to sound like Jimmyy but around here the majority of FCA buyers are either diehard loyalists or low credit specials. The loyalists die out but the bad credit pool never drys up. The dealers here are just as happy to have you drive off in a 200 as they are a durango

    • See 5 previous
    • 28-Cars-Later 28-Cars-Later on Apr 11, 2015

      @DW Johan has a 2.0L CT6 waiting for you, and now you want a Challenger?

  • Brumus Brumus on Apr 11, 2015

    @ Ion: I live in Quebec, where imports (or non-American automakers) have their highest market penetration in North America. Nonetheless, in some of Montreal's nicer neighbourhoods I see a decent number of Grand Cherokees and even Wranglers; these same people, however, wouldn't be caught dead with a Lincoln, Buick or Cadillac in the driveway.

  • Rday Rday on Apr 11, 2015

    bought a ram promaster high roof lwb van several weeks ago. It rides great has good brakes even though they squeal, gets mid to upper teens on mileage and shows alot of promise. Don't like the fact that it may have a caravan transmission but will have to see. many people like it and i think it will bring alot of business to FCA

Next