Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV on Oct. 2 posted almost flat year-over-year growth in U.S. vehicle sales for the third quarter of fiscal 2019.
For the three months ended Sept. 30, the Italian-American carmaker reported overall sales of 565,034 units compared to 564,507 in the year-ago period. Retail sales accounted for 438,649 units while fleet sales accounted for 22% of total sales.
Jeep brand sales for the quarter dipped 2% to 245,474 units compared to last year's 251,172 units, but sales of Ram-branded vehicles jumped 15% to 179,200 units from 156,320 units in the year-ago period.
Dodge brand sales also slid 4% year-over-year to 104,146 units from 108,795 in 2018. In addition, Fiat, Alfa Romeo and Chrysler brands reported significant drops in third-quarter sales at 38%, 27% and 23%, respectively.
Reid Bigland, head of Fiat Chrysler U.S. sales, said in a statement that lower interest rates, a stable economy and consumer enthusiasm strengthen their belief that domestic new vehicle sales in the country are heading for a strong finish.
"For us, vehicles like the new Gladiator, our Ram pickups and Dodge muscle cars are pulling customers into showrooms. Our customers are also choosing to purchase higher trim levels or extra features, which are increasing our transaction prices," Bigland said.
