Jeep records new all-time global sales record in 2013; India key for new growth

January 8, 2014: For the second consecutive year, the Jeep brand has set a new all-time global sales record. Sales of 731,565 Jeep vehicles across the globe in 2013 bettered the previous record of 701,626 established in 2012.

"Jeep vehicles have now recorded sales increases both globally and in the US market for four consecutive years, with back-to-back global sales records," said Mike Manley, president and CEO, Jeep Brand, Chrysler Group LLC. "Customers clearly appreciate the new Jeep vehicle lineup that delivers vastly improved on-road driving dynamics and fuel efficiency, in addition to legendary, benchmark 4x4 capability.

"We are especially pleased with the performance of the Jeep Cherokee, which sold more than 25,000 units in its first two months in dealer showrooms," Manley added. "We achieved this record while being out of the world's largest SUV segment for three quarters of the year. With a full lineup of capable, efficient SUVs - and with Cherokee arriving in Jeep showrooms across the globe - we expect to continue our sales momentum in 2014."

Jeep vehicle sales increased 4 percent globally in 2013 versus 2012, and 3 percent in the U.S. Jeep sales rose 26 percent in the Asia-Pacific region in 2013. In China, the world's largest automobile market, sales grew 29 percent in 2013.

Jeep vehicle sales were led globally and in the US by the Grand Cherokee (255,005 global; 174,275 U.S.), followed by the Wrangler (210,715 global; 155,502 U.S.), Compass (121,626 global; 52,993 U.S.), Patriot (103,577 global; 75,797 U.S.) and the Cherokee (31,330 global; 25,786 U.S.).

The sales totals for Jeep Compass, Patriot and Wrangler marked their best-ever global and US sales numbers.

INDIA A KEY MARKET

In the current year, India will be added to the list of markets the Jeep brand is sold in. India could benefit Jeep not only in terms of offering a healthy domestic demand for premium and luxury SUVs, but also as an export base.

In an interview to Autocar Professional soon after announcing Jeep’s India entry plan in December 2012, Manley had said “We doubled our share in Australia in the last 14-18 months. In South Africa we are a reasonably strong player. The UK has been able to bring additional volume to our right-hand drive portfolio. India could be very important from that perspective (exports)”.

In the domestic market, Jeep vehicles will be sold through a dedicated dealership network of 32 dealers in 25 cities in the first phase.

The Italian carmaker is aggressively going about increasing its footprint in India and in a bid to develop a strong consumer connect, Fiat India has started actively engaging with both existing and potential customers and also highlighting new developments like the fast-expanding independent dealership network, 24x7 roadside assistance, a new service warranty package and the newly launched models of Linea and Punto.