Chrysler enjoyed its best monthly sales in March since December 2007, when it delivered 191,000 units, according to WardsAuto data, although some perennial top sellers suffered hits.
Deliveries of the high-volume Chrysler 300 and Dodge Caravan were down 19.6% and 15.9%, respectively, compared with year-ago, WardsAuto data shows. Both models saw fewer deliveries in February as well.
Overall, the Chrysler group sold 170,523 units in March, up 9.0% from like-2012, pushing first-quarter results up 8.0% from year-ago.
Jeep-brand deliveries slid 9.3% to 39,469 units in the month, as the current-generation Grand Cherokee ages out and the last remaining Liberty models exit dealers. Wrangler saw the best result with 12,901 sales.
The Dodge brand sold 59,882 units, led by the Dart, which hit an all-time high with 8,091 units in March. Deliveries of the closely watched compact car have been inching upward each month since its introduction last year.
The Avenger sedan was the brand’s top-performing model, with 12,439 units, followed by the Caravan minivan with 11,110. The fullsize Durango SUV, which undergoes a significant refresh this year, saw sales jump 22.9% from prior-year to 5,441.
The Chrysler brand delivered 33,905 units, led by the 200 sedan with 16,593. Sales of the Town & Country minivan, under consideration for a replacement or refresh, dipped 3.4% to 11,626 but still bested the Caravan.
The Fiat brand enjoyed a sales gain of 6.4% in March compared with year-ago, with its only model, the 500 small car, reaching 3,807 units.
Ram delivered 32,748 1500 pickups in the month, making it Chrysler’s best-selling vehicle. Including the low-volume Cargo Van, total volume was 33,457.
Chrysler’s performance SRT brand sold three Vipers in March, bringing the year’s total to four units.
