Stellantis sales up 6% in 2nd quarter with help from new models

Stellantis’ U.S. sales in the second quarter were up 6% compared with the same period a year ago, the company reported Monday.

The company touted the sales climate and the work of its dealers, but it also benefited from two new vehicles. In addition, a key Detroit plant was offline in the second quarter last year, affecting availability of the Dodge Durango and Jeep Grand Cherokee.

Stellantis, which reports sales as FCA US LLC, said it sold 434,648 vehicles in the U.S. in the quarter, up from 408,521 during the same period in 2022. The showing means sales through the first two quarters of the year collectively are only off last year’s pace by 1%.

“We saw increased demand this quarter as market conditions continue to improve and our dealer network makes the necessary adjustments to drive sales growth across our brand portfolios,” U.S. Head of Sales Jeff Kommor said in a news release. “The Jeep Wrangler 4xe recorded its best quarter to date and retains its ranking as the best-selling plug-in hybrid in the U.S., with the Grand Cherokee 4xe at No. 2 and the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid at No. 4.”

Despite the good news for the two plug-in hybrid Jeep models, the brand overall lost ground, down 3%. Low-volume Alfa Romeo and Fiat were also down, 25% and 42% respectively, with Fiat selling only 144 vehicles, continuing its downward trend. The introduction of the Alfa Romeo Tonale compact SUV did not offset a drop in sales for the Giulia Sedan and Stelvio SUV.

The other brands were up. Ram increased 3%, powered by higher ProMaster Van sales; Dodge was up 37%, boosted by the new Dodge Hornet SUV (the G/T is available now, and the R/T version is set for availability in the third quarter), as well as substantially stronger Durango sales, which were likely affected last year by the retooling at the plant formerly known as the Jefferson North Assembly Plant on Detroit’s east side, and Chrysler increased 33%.

The company, did not release sales numbers for Maserati.