Stellantis sales drop sharply in second quarter amid dealer discontent

Stellantis NV sales fell 21% in the second quarter compared to last year with all of its major brands — Jeep, Ram, Chrysler and Dodge — suffering steep declines.

The transatlantic automaker in the United States sold 344,993 vehicles in April, May and June, compared to 434,648 in the same period a year ago.

The automaker noted it did sell 4% more vehicles in the second quarter than it had in the first quarter of this year, which had been another difficult sales period.

But overall in the quarter, Stellantis’ major brands fell year-over-year: Ram by 26%, both Jeep and Chrysler by 19%, and Dodge by 17%. Both Fiat and Alfa Romeo saw significant sales increases, but both brands’ total volumes are minimal in the United States, with Fiat selling 316 cars and Alfa 2,492.

For the first half 2024, Stellantis sold 677,533 vehicles, down 16% year-over-year.

The dismal report comes as Stellantis dealers in the United States have expressed frustration over pricey vehicles that don’t match well with what consumers want. The angst was were aired during meetings last week of the Stellantis National Dealer Council and in an earlier letter from dealers to CEO Carlos Tavares.

Matt Thompson, head of U.S. retail sales for Stellantis, said in a statement that the company has been making moves to offer customers a wider range of fully electric, plug-in hybrid, and gas-powered options, and it has also adjusted pricing across Jeep, Dodge, Chrysler and Ram.

The company is also offering new incentives to boost sales. Starting Tuesday, Thompson said, Stellantis is “launching a national ‘Summer Select Inventory Bonus Cash’ incentive campaign, which will provide up to $2,000 cash back across many of our nameplates.”

Kevin Farrish, who owns a Stellantis dealership in Virginia and leads the nationwide dealer council, said in a statement that dealers have been working with Stellantis leaders to help provide customers with the right mix of products “at competitive pricing.”

“It’s been a very open, collaborative effort working together as a team, and we’ll continue to tackle these important issues together on behalf of our customers,” Farrish said.

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