Chrysler Group beat both its Detroit rivals, GM (201,237 units) and Ford (173,966),during July in year-on-year-terms, they in fact fell 6 and 4 percent respectively. Toyota was up 26 percent to 164,868 units, last year it was suffering from a lack of availability following the Japanese tsunami. Other winners in July included Nissan (+16.2 percent) and VW (+27.3 percent).

The Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Ram Truck, and Fiat brands each posted sales increases in July compared with the same month a year ago.

The Fiat 500 however dipped slightly last month against its recent form which had seen its May and June sales coming in above the four thousand units mark. However, the 500 was slightly up year-on-year, July 2011 being one of its more robust selling months post-launch before a string of marketing initiatives backfired.

Chrysler Group in fact recorded its 28th-consecutive month of year-over-year sales gains in July. The Chrysler brand led the way with its 35 percent sales gain, the largest percentage increase of any Chrysler Group brand in July.

“July was another solid month for Chrysler Group as we again demonstrated our disciplined and methodical approach to growing sales and profits,” said Reid Bigland, President and CEO – Dodge Brand and Head of U.S. Sales. “In July we recorded a 13 percent increase in sales and our 28th-consecutive month of year-over-year sales growth. In addition we also announced a second quarter modified operating profit of $755 million representing our highest quarterly profits in more than a decade.”

Chrysler Group’s 13 percent sales increase was driven in part by two models that set sales records for the month of July: the Chrysler 200 mid-size sedan and the Dodge Journey full-size crossover. Sales of the Journey were up 69 percent, the largest percentage increase of any Chrysler Group model in July.

Also contributing to Chrysler Group’s July increase were the Ram pickup truck, the group’s volume leader, with its 17 percent sales increase, and the Chrysler 300 flagship sedan with a solid 41 percent gain. Sales of the Jeep Grand Cherokee were up 22 percent while the Jeep Liberty mid-size SUV recorded a 34 percent sales increase, the largest year-over-year percentage sales gain of any Jeep model in July.

Chrysler Group finished the month with a 65-days supply of inventory (341,699 units). U.S. industry sales figures for July are projected at an estimated 14 million units Seasonally Adjusted Annual Rate (SAAR).

Chrysler Group U.S. sales - July 2012