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Auto consultancy Truecar had expected a rise of
23 percent for Chrysler and a 10 percent increase for the
industry.
On Friday in Turin, Italy, where Chrysler parent Fiat is
headquartered for now, shareholders are expected to approve a
merger that will create Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, to be
registered in the Netherlands.
Fiat has relied on the resurgence of Chrysler in North America
since the No. 3 U.S. automaker's 2009 government-sponsored
bankruptcy as Europe's auto sales flagged.
Gains in U.S. auto sales have been stronger than the overall
economy since the recession. However, the monthly figures also
provide an early glimpse into consumer spending.
Auto sales dropped to a low of 10.4 million vehicles in 2009 and
have risen steadily since, reaching 15.6 million vehicles last
year. They are on a pace for about 16.4 million this year, in
part because of easier credit and loans of up to 84 months.
Chrysler said last month was its best July since 2005, with
sales of 167,667 vehicles.
Jeep, the SUV brand that Fiat Chrysler sees as a linchpin in its
global growth, showed sales up 41 percent, while Ram truck sales
rose 14 percent. Chrysler brand sales increased 17 percent, and
Dodge brand sales were up 3 percent.
(Reporting by Bernie Woodall; Editing by Mark Potter and Lisa
Von Ahn)
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