Chrysler Group LLC's vehicle sales in the U.S. rose 23 percent in the first quarter to 287,000 new cars and trucks driven by growth in three of the auto maker's four brands.
The pickup truck Ram brand led the group with a 38 percent increase in sales during the quarter compared with the same period a year earlier while Jeep rose 34 percent, according to information released in Fiat SpA's quarterly earnings report Wednesday. Dodge vehicle sales rose 24 percent but the Chrysler brand fell 9 percent during the quarter. Details about the decline weren't immediately disclosed, The Wall Street Journal reported.
Fiat, which owns a stake in and has management control of Chrysler, also said the U.S. auto maker's retail sales increased 51 percent during the quarter. Chrysler is expected to release its first quarter results next month although a date has yet to be announced.
The stronger first-quarter performance provides a boost to Chief Executive Sergio Marchionne's goal of increasing Chrysler's worldwide sales to 2 million vehicle this year. The auto maker sold about 1.5 million cars and trucks last year.
