Sales of the Ram pickup truck were up 17 percent in April, the truck’s best ever April sales performance and its 48th-consecutive month of year-over-year sales gains, Chrysler reported Thursday.
Ram Light Duty sales increased 7 percent in April, while Ram Heavy Duty pickups were up 32 percent. The Ram 1500 and 2500 pickups were named “Top Rated Vehicles” by Edmunds.com during the New York International Auto Show press days last month. In addition, the 1500 was named a 2014 Automobile Magazine All-Star by the publication’s editorial staff for the second year in a row and the fourth time in the past five years.
With its 77 percent increase, the Ram Cargo Van logged its best ever April sales, while the Ram ProMaster van posted an 11 percent increase compared with the previous month of March, the company says.
“Strong consumer demand for our Jeep sport-utility vehicles and Ram pickup trucks continued in April as Chrysler Group extended its streak to 49-consecutive months of year-over-year sales gains,” said Reid Bigland, Head of U.S. Sales. “The spring selling season is heating up as our Jeep brand had its best monthly sales ever. Both of our minivans had a strong April and the Ram pickup truck had its best April sales ever.”
Ram Truck brand sales were up 22 percent in April, the brand’s best sales in the month of April since 2006. The brand unveiled the 2014 Ram Power Wagon, the most off-road capable pickup, at the New York International Auto Show last month.
Built to master the most rigorous off-road trails, the Power Wagon is based on the Ram 2500 Heavy Duty 4×4 Crew Cab, and features a number of off-road-specific engineering enhancements, including a unique suspension with more than two inches of lift, locking differentials and a 12,000-pound winch to give the truck a significant advantage over all production pickups.
General Motors reported Thursday that Chevrolet Silverado sales were up 9 percent and GMC Sierra sales were up 21 percent. Retail deliveries were up 13 percent and 22 percent, respectively. GM says it expects to gain between two and three points of retail market share in the large pickup segment compared to March 2014.
Per plan, GM says it increased its share of trucks sold with average transaction prices below $40,000 compared to the first quarter of 2014, and maintained its share of more premium-contented trucks. GMC sales were up 13 percent for the brand’s best April since 2007.
Ford Motor Company total U.S. sales of 211,126 vehicles last month declined 1 percent from a year ago. Retail sales of 141,950 vehicles are off 1 percent compared with a year ago. Commercial and government fleet sales were up 16 and 21 percent, respectively, while daily rental sales declined 24 percent.
“F-Series and Explorer showed considerable strength in April, posting their best results in almost a decade,” says John Felice, Ford vice president, U.S. marketing, sales and service. “We also saw another breakout month for Fusion, with continued strength in the Western region. Overall, industry sales continued the rebound from January and February and are on a path of steady growth.”
F-Series sales totaled 63,387 vehicles last month, making for the truck’s best April since 2006. EcoBoost continues to play a big role in F-150 sales, comprising 42 percent of the truck’s overall retail engine mix. Combined, Ford’s V6 engines – EcoBoost and the 3.7-liter – represented 55 percent of F-150 sales in April.
