Stellantis sales declined in the third quarter. This is how much
Published in Automotive News
Stellantis NV's U.S. sales fell 20% in the third quarter compared to the same period last year with all of its major brands — Jeep, Ram, Chrysler and Dodge — dropping.
The transatlantic automaker sold 305,294 vehicles in the United States in July, August and September, compared to 380,563 in the same period a year ago.
The decline comes as Stellantis dealers in the United States have expressed frustration over pricey vehicles that don't match well with what consumers are seeking. The automaker on Monday lowered its financial guidance for the second half of 2024, citing actions it's taking to address falling sales in North America, and accelerated its plans to reduce inventories before the end of the year. It also said it was extending incentives and making changes concerning vehicle production.
"We continue to take the necessary actions to drive sales and prepare our dealer network and consumers for the arrival of 2025 models," Matt Thompson, head of U.S. retail sales, said in a statement.
The company noted market share grew to 8% in September from 7.2% in July. It reduced inventory stocks by 11.6%, or 50,000 vehicles, in the third quarter. Auto information resource Cox Automotive Inc. had forecasted a 20.8% sales decline for Stellantis in the third quarter, which the company beat.
Still, Stellantis' major brands fell sharply year-over-year during the past three months: Ram by 19%, Jeep by 6%, Chrysler by 47% and Dodge by 43%. Alfa Romeo sales also decreased by 29%. Fiat's rose 118%, but its 316 sales are minimal.
For the first nine months of 2024, Stellantis sold 982,827 vehicles, down 17% year-over-year.
Stellantis said several of its electrified offerings continue to be solid sellers, citing registration data from financial analytics firm S&P Global Inc. Its plug-in hybrids — Jeep Wrangler 4xe, Grand Cherokee 4xe, Dodge Hornet R/T and Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid — remained as four of the top five selling plug-in hybrid models on the market in the United States through the end of the end of July, the company said.
Stellantis in the third quarter sold 235 Fiat 500e city cars, its first fully electric vehicle in the United States. An additional incentive is available on the vehicle, the company said. The all-electric Dodge Charger Daytona muscle car will launch this year.
But overall, even usually hot-selling models for Stellantis, like the Jeep Wrangler and Grand Cherokee, were down 14% and 6%, respectively. Ram pickup sales fell by 19%. And Chrysler's Pacifica minivan was down 44%.
General Motors Co. this week reported a 2% drop in third-quarter U.S. sales to 659,601 deliveries. Toyota Motor Corp. reported a 0.8% decline in third-quarter sales with 542,872 deliveries. Ford Motor Co. reported U.S. sales growth just under 1% year-over-year with 504,039 deliveries in the third quarter.
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