FCA’s Pacifica popular buy in U.S. market

The Windsor-built Pacifica minivan enjoyed record October sales in the U.S. last month with 9,277 vehicles sold.

That represents an increase of 22 per cent compared to October 2017 or 1,684 vehicles. Americans bought 11,110 Dodge Caravans last month compared to 2,431 a year ago when production was limited at Windsor Assembly to refit the vehicle for redesigned airbags for the U.S. market. The strong minivan sales in the U.S. offset a disappointing performance for the products in the Canadian market. The Pacifica plummeted 53 per cent (216 units) and the Caravan slipped by 44 per cent (1,783 vehicles).

FCA Canada’s overall sales dropped 15 per cent in October to 14,669 vehicles. The news for FCA in the U.S. was more positive as it enjoyed an overall sales increase of 16 per cent to 177,391 vehicles. Every division of the company enjoyed sales increases with the exception of the Fiat brand, which dropped for the 30th consecutive month.

Ford U.S. saw its overall sales drop by 3.9 per cent to 191,682 vehicles. The company’s sales figures were dominated by trucks and SUVs, which represent 81 per cent of all sales.

In Canada, Ford was on the plus side of the ledger with a 1.6 per increase. Ford Canada sold 21,428 vehicles in October to claim top spot among automakers. Ford Canada enjoyed record October sales of its F-150 trucks with 10,874 vehicles.

General Motors no longer releases monthly sales figures, having switched to quarterly reports. Other automakers to post sales gains in the U.S. market were Volkswagen (4.6 per cent), Toyota (1.4 per cent), Subaru (2.5 per cent), Audi (0.2 per cent), BMW (0.2 per cent), Hyundai (2.8 per cent), Kia (1.6 per cent) and Jaguar Land Rover (25 per cent). Honda’s sales dropped 4.1 per cent, Mercedes five per cent, Audi 17 per cent and Nissan 10.6 per cent.