Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV (NYSE:FCAU) has reported that Jeep sales have hit a record high and on the rise in the US, and minivans have also been increasing in popularity.
The vehicle manufacturer reported that its automobile sales in May was 204,452 in May alone, thus marking the 74th consecutive year where the company has registered gains year over year. Fiat Chrysler also reported record Jeep sales in the same month where it sold 90,000 units. This is the first time that the firm has made such high Jeep sales in the 75 years that it has been in operation.
The company revealed that its Renegade and Compass models were more than double the numbers registered in the previous month, and the Patriot registered a 19% rise in sales. The auto maker also claims that its minivan sales have risen sharply over the past year. FCA now believes that it has a clear shot at popularizing minivans, and it believes the Pacifica is the right car for the task. The company believes that it is in a better position to achieve more sales especially because it retooled its minivan plant during the 100-day shutdown last year in preparation for the 2017 Chrysler Pacifica.
Fiat Chrysler introduced the Pacifica as a replacement for its Town and Country minivan and the automaker is confident that the new model will perform well. The Pacifica has a series of features such as high definition screens in the back cabin as well as better fold-flat seats. The company has also revealed that the vehicle will be available as a hybrid, and it will achieve 80 miles to the gallon.
It will be the first minivan to feature hybrid technology. It is also playing its cards on the Pacifica because Alphabet Inc (NASDAQ:GOOGL) picked it for its autonomous vehicle technology.
