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FCME reports strong 2012 sales, sets record

Dubai, February 21, 2013

Fiat Chrysler Middle East (FCME) has announced that it closed 2012 with a new all-time company benchmark of 25,321 sales for its Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram brands, a year-on-year increase of 66 per cent on 2011.

The company also set a new monthly record sales of 3,127 vehicles in December 2012, a statement from FCME said.

“Our sales showed major growth throughout 2012, building on the momentum of a highly successful 2011, which saw us achieve what was at the time our best ever sales performance in the Middle East,” said Alfredo Altavilla, chief operating officer, Fiat Chrysler EMEA.

“The introduction of the latest models across the Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram ranges had a dramatic and highly positive effect, and the upward trend has continued in the first months of 2013.”

The 2012 results mark yet another consecutive period of solid growth for FCME’s brands in the Middle East, and are a clear result of the Fiat Chrysler Group’s revamped product line-up and extensive quality investments, the statement said.

The Ram Truck brand is the most improved brand in the latest JD Power and Associates 2013 US Vehicle Dependability Study, moving up 20 positions in the brand rankings compared to the 2012 VDS, with 30 per cent fewer problems reported per 100 vehicles. For the second consecutive year, 12 Fiat Chrysler Group models have made the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety’s (IIHS) annual list of Top Safety Picks.

“This type of recognition from leading organisations acknowledges our focus on quality, design and performance and this in turn is being recognised and appreciated by customers - we listen to them and continually implement changes to our vehicles to meet - and exceed - their needs,” said Altavilla. “Consistent enhancements of our regional dealer sales and service network are also adding to our success, and from that perspective we’re particularly happy to be achieving growth rates that are running way above the industry average.”

“2012 was a remarkable year for us, both in the Middle East and internationally,” added Altavilla. “Our commitment to world-class processes, quality, advanced technology, stand-out design, cutting edge powertrains and transmissions, along with total capability and safety has paid off, and has been a major factor in our sales achievements.”

“Sales-wise, last year we were the fastest growing manufacturer in the region with our Chrysler Brands, and we aim to achieve similar levels of growth with the Alfa Romeo and Fiat Brands in 2013. Our commitment to the Middle East region is also demonstrated by the expansion of our Alfa and Fiat Network - in 2012 we added facilities in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia to those already existing in Lebanon, Qatar, the UAE, Kuwait and Palestine - this year, we will add further operations in Oman, Jordan and Iraq.”

With the introduction of the Alfa Romeo Giulietta and MiTo plus the Fiorino, Doblo and Ducato from the revitalised Fiat Professional LCV range, FCME is now entering a whole new range of vehicle segments.

In terms of 2012 sales highlights, the Jeep Grand Cherokee - the most awarded SUV in automotive history - along with the legendary Wrangler, continue to lead the charge for the Jeep brand, which was up by 40 per cent year-on-year.

Dodge, up 58 per cent year-on-year, continues to be CGME’s top selling brand, with the Dodge Charger (up 111 per cent year-on-year), Challenger (up 144 per cent) and seven-seater Durango (up 155 per cent) models performing extremely well.

Market-wise, United Motors Company (UMC) in Saudi Arabia achieved third place in terms of total 2012 sales of all international countries worldwide and was the largest independent distributor of Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ramin the world.

UMC finished the year up 80 per cent against 2011. Other 2012 market highlights saw the UAE and Kuwait achieving 51 per cent year on year growth over 2011, Oman up 59 per cent, Qatar up 65 per cent, Bahrain up 52 per cent, Iraq up 70 per cent and Lebanon up 83 per cent.

“For us, it's particularly encouraging to post such robust sales figures and achieve this level of sales growth in what is still an extremely tough and competitive market environment,” said Altavilla. “Our range now covers a broad spectrum from light, efficient vehicles such as the recently launched Alfa Romeo Giulietta, MiTo and the popular Fiat 500, right through to the go anywhere, do anything Jeep models and the high performance SRT range.”

“We’re also strengthening our presence in the light commercials segment with the Fiat Professional brand in the form of the Ducato, Doblo and Fiorino, which will support the legendary Ram pick-ups.”

“We have a wide range of stylish, distinctive, dynamic and high-quality models that combine total functionality with highly competitive whole-life ownership costs - these strengths have clearly been recognised by car buyers, with increasing numbers adding Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram to their vehicle shopping list.”

“Our customers in the Middle East will benefit greatly from Fiat Chrysler Group’s use of shared platforms and technologies such as UConnect (which AOL Autos recently announced as the winner of its inaugural Technology of the Year Award), award winning powertrains such as the Chrysler Pentastar 3.6L V6, advanced modern transmissions such as TCT and the Alfa DNA system, all of which further enhance our products,” he added.

“This establishes a solid foundation for further growth in the region, and the scene is firmly set for what we are confident will be yet another record breaking year in 2013 - our growth will be generated and sustained by an on-going long-term programme of new vehicle introductions across all segments.”

FCME made a strong start this year, closing January with 2,385 sales, a 55 per cent year-on-year increase on the company’s record-breaking 2012. – TradeArabia News Service




Tags: UAE | Dubai |

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