Chrysler Group LLC has reported U.S. sales of 140,083 units, an 11 percent increase compared with sales in October 2012

• 43rd-consecutive month of year-over-year sales gains
• Chrysler, Jeep®, Dodge and Ram Truck brands each post sales increases in October compared with same month a year ago
• Six Chrysler Group vehicles each set sales record for month of October
• Jeep Grand Cherokee, Wrangler, Compass and Patriot each post year-over-year sales gains led by the 68 percent increase in Compass sales
• Two all-new models – 2014 Jeep Cherokee mid-size SUV and 2014 Ram ProMaster van – arriving at dealerships across the country; first sales recorded in October for both new vehicles
• Ram Truck, Jeep and Dodge brand vehicles take top honors at the annual Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA) Texas Truck Rodeo
• All-new 2014 Fiat 500L and all-new 2014 Jeep Cherokee each earn a Top Safety Pick from Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS)

Chrysler Group LLC has reported U.S. sales of 140,083 units, an 11 percent increase compared with sales in October 2012 (126,185 units), and the group’s best October sales since 2007.

The Chrysler, Jeep®, Dodge and Ram Truck brands each posted year-over-year sales gains in October compared with the same month a year ago. The Ram Truck brand’s 22 percent increase was the largest sales gain of any Chrysler Group brand during the month. Chrysler Group extended its streak of year-over-year sales gains to 43 consecutive months in October.

“After a choppy start to the beginning of the month, Chrysler Group sales accelerated in the second half of the month with renewed consumer confidence and the launch of our all-new Jeep Cherokee,” said Reid Bigland, Head of U.S. Sales. “Following a meticulous focus on quality, our new Jeep Cherokee began shipping to dealers and quickly selling which helped us to achieve our 43rd-consecutive month of year-over-year sales increases.”

The all-new 2014 Jeep Cherokee and the all-new 2014 Ram ProMaster went on sale in October, expanding the Chrysler Group product lineup. Six Chrysler Group vehicles logged their best October sales ever, including the Jeep Wrangler and Jeep Patriot, and the Dodge Journey crossover, Dodge Dart compact car and the Dodge Challenger. This was the Wrangler’s seventh sales record this year, including an all-time sales record in May. The Ram Cargo Van also logged its best October sales ever.

Chrysler Group finished the month with an 86 days supply of inventory (445,271 units). U.S. industry sales figures for October are projected at an estimated 15.7 million units Seasonally Adjusted Annual Rate (SAAR).

October 2013 U.S. Sales Highlights by Brand

Ram Truck Brand

Ram Truck brand sales were up 22 percent compared with the same month a year ago.  Sales of the Ram pickup truck were up 18 percent, its 42nd-consecutive month of year-over-year sales gains and its best October sales since 2004. The Ram Truck brand recorded its first sales of the all-new 2014 Ram ProMaster van in October.

The Ram Truck brand took home eight awards last month at the annual Texas Auto Writers Association Texas Truck Rodeo, including the Truck Line of Texas. The 2014 Ram 1500 was named Truck of Texas for the second-consecutive year, as well as Full-Size Truck and Luxury Truck of Texas. The 2014 Ram 2500 received the Heavy Duty Truck of Texas award and Best Technology award for its five-link coil rear suspension. The 2014 Ram ProMaster was named the Commercial Vehicle of Texas, while the Ram 1500 and Jeep Grand Cherokee shared the Best Powertrain award for the 3.0L EcoDiesel engine.

Sales of the Ram Cargo Van were up 120 percent, its best October sales ever.

Dodge Brand

Dodge brand sales were up 12 percent in October, the brand’s best October sales since 2005 and its 29th-consecutive month of year-over-year sales gains. The Dodge Dart, Dodge Challenger and Dodge Journey mid-size crossover each recorded their best October sales ever, while sales of the Dodge Charger sport sedan were up 60 percent.

Sales of the Dodge Grand Caravan were up 9 percent, the minivan’s best October sales in seven years. To celebrate 30 years of minivan leadership, the 2014 Dodge Grand Caravan 30th Anniversary Edition, available on both the SE and SXT models, is now on sale featuring unique content, including commemorative badging, special paint and black interior trim.

The Dodge Durango full-size SUV extended to 12-consecutive months its run of year-over-year sales gains with its 59 percent increase. The Durango was named the 2014 Full-Size SUV of Texas during TAWA’s Texas Truck Rodeo in October.

Jeep® Brand

Jeep brand sales were up 7 percent in October as all Jeep brand vehicles, excluding the all-new 2014 Jeep Cherokee, posted year-over-year sales gains. The Jeep Compass, with its 68 percent sales gain, recorded the largest percentage increase of any Jeep brand model in October. The Jeep Wrangler and Jeep Patriot each set a sales record for the month of October. The Wrangler has set a sales record in seven months this year, including an all-time record in May. Sales of the Jeep Grand Cherokee, the SUV of Texas for the fourth-consecutive year, were up 20 percent in October, its best October sales since 2005. The flagship Grand Cherokee also won Mid-Size SUV and Luxury Mid-Size SUV of Texas during last month’s Texas Truck Rodeo. The Wrangler took home the award for Off-Road Utility Vehicle of Texas.

The all-new Jeep Cherokee mid-size SUV went on sale in October in dealerships across the country, recording sales of 579 units in its partial month of sales. The Cherokee has already won an award in its first head-to-head vehicle competition – Compact SUV of Texas – in TAWA’s Texas Truck Rodeo. In addition, the Cherokee earned a Top Safety Pick from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety in October.

The Cherokee completely redefines the mid-size SUV segment, delivering legendary Jeep 4x4 capability, a segment-first nine-speed automatic transmission, fuel economy improvements of more than 45 percent (versus the former Jeep Liberty model), superior on-road ride and handling, a cutting-edge, revolutionary design, world-class craftsmanship, class-exclusive technology and more than 70 advanced safety and security features.

Chrysler Brand

Chrysler brand sales were up 6 percent, the brand’s best October sales performance since 2007. Sales of the award-winning Chrysler Town & Country were up 28 percent, the minivan’s best October sales in six years. As the creator of the minivan segment, Chrysler Group is celebrating 30 years of the minivan this fall. Now on sale, the 2014 Chrysler Town & Country 30th Anniversary Edition is based on the Touring L model and features unique exterior and interior content. Town & Country sales are up 6 percent through October this year compared with the same period in 2012.

FIAT Brand

FIAT brand sales were down slightly in October compared with the same month a year ago. The Fiat 500e all-electric model, available in the state of California, logged its best sales month so far this year. Sales of the all-new 2014 Fiat 500L were up 26 percent in October versus the previous month. October was the 500L’s best sales month since launch in June. The 500L was named a 2013 Top Safety Pick in October by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. The 500L recorded the highest-possible rating in each of four IIHS tests to determine the Top Safety Pick. The innovative, four-door B-segment hatchback was one of two Chrysler Group vehicles to earn the designation during the latest round of IIHS evaluations. Top Safety Pick testing simulates a side impact, front moderate-overlap impact, roof-crush consistent with a rollover, and a rear collision capable of inducing whiplash.

Jeep Cherokees missing in action as thousands stack up at factory

Sometimes I wonder if Chrysler didn't have bad luck, if they'd have any....

The 2014 Jeep Cherokee rolled into the spotlight to much debate in February, with its angular looks boldly moving away from the slab-cut Cherokees of yore. First assembly began in July, and reviewers drove the cars in August and September. Yet today, weeks after it was expected to hit the market, there's not a single Cherokee up for sale in any Jeep dealership in America — despite at least 19,000 having been built.

A search of Chrysler's nationwide dealer inventory system shows nine Cherokees listed as "in transit" to dealers, a small break in a giant logjam; Chrysler's own data showed it had built 18,849 Cherokees at the plant in Toledo as of September 30, and production has continued since then. Chrysler has offered few specifics about the delay, saying it involved "powertrain calibration" issues and vowing that it would not let buyers have a half-baked SUV:

The 2014 Jeep Cherokee has an all-new nine-speed transmission, two new powertrains, three advanced four-wheel-drive systems and has undergone more than 14 million test miles in order to ensure the vehicle meets our highest quality standards. Once the latest powertrain calibration is validated, the company will be able to quickly update the powertrain software on Cherokees already built and ship vehicles to dealership around the country in quantity.

Complex may be an understatement. The nine-speed transmission, an industry first designed by German firm ZF but built by Chrysler at its own factory in Indiana, has been expected to see duty in many Chrysler front-wheel-drive models as a key part of the company's plan to meet future fuel efficiency standards. The electronics and chassis of the Cherokee come from a platform shared with Fiat. And because it's a Jeep, the Cherokee has not just a typical all-wheel-drive system for its four- and six-cylinder engines, but an optional off-roadable four-wheel-drive unit with trick pieces like a locking rear differential — all of which has to work seamlessly with software controls.

Automakers occasionally have bumpy launches; last year Ford had to ship thousands of Lincoln MKZ sedans from Mexico to Michigan for repairs after factory troubles. And such delays hit the bottom line directly; automakers don't book a sale until a car leaves the factory, and dealers get antsy when they don't have the vehicles they expected to sell. But the alternative — selling cars with known problems that then require customers to go back to the dealership a few months later — would only shift Chrysler's reputation into low gear.

Source;

http://autos.yahoo.com/blogs/motoramic/jeep-cherokees-missing-action-thousands-stack-factory-192527121.html

(US) Chrysler recall #1 - Software upgrade on 2014 Jeep Cherokee

Chrysler Group LLC will recall an estimated 132,000 SUVs to upgrade software that controls instrument-cluster lighting and active chassis systems.

Chrysler Group quality-control personnel observed reports of random warning-light illumination and instrument-cluster blackout. Both events occurred infrequently and appeared to resolve themselves by turning the vehicle’s ignition off and then on. However, regulatory compliance requires that clusters display complete information that is clearly legible.

Engineers discovered an issue in the vehicle’s anti-lock braking system (ABS) module that affects the instrument cluster display. The issue also has implications for the vehicle’s ABS and electronic stability control systems, but Chrysler Group is unaware of any reported problems involving either.

Chrysler Group is unaware of any associated accidents or injuries.

Chrysler Group will update instrument-cluster and ABS module software on certain 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokees. Most (91,559) are in the U.S.; 6,050 are in Canada; 2,662 are in Mexico; and 32,212 are outside the NAFTA region.

The upgrade will be performed at no cost to customers. Those affected will be notified by mail next month.

Customers who are concerned may call 1-800-853-1403.