Brand CEO Reid Bigland said Chrysler is aiming to blow past 2 million in sales in 2014.
Chrysler Group is looking at another sales increase in January, according to the company’s top sales executive.
Reid Bigland, head of sales for the Chrysler Group, said during an interview at the North American International Auto Show that Chrysler expects to chalk up another sales increase this month.
“We think we’ll have our 46th (consecutive) monthly sales increase in January,” Bigland said. “The steady increase in sales for Jeep Cherokee is providing Chrysler with a lift.”
Chrysler has set a goal of selling 2 million vehicles this year. It sold 1.8 million last year, even though the critical Jeep assembly plant in Toledo, Ohio, was undergoing a major overhaul for much of the year.
Bigland acknowledged reaching 2 million units is a tall order. “We’re going to try,” he said, adding Chrysler’s sales position will benefit from the introduction of the new Chrysler 200 and new commercial vehicles.
Overall, automakers expect strong sales in 2014.
While some automakers were more cautious than other, by and large automakers expect sales to exceed 16 million units as the U.S. economy picks up momentum this year. Autos and housing are now helping drive the U.S. economy, according to a new report from the Federal Reserve.
Chrysler Group chief executive officer said he would not be surprised if new vehicles sales began to level off, echoing earlier comments from Jim Lentz, Toyota’ top executive in North America.
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Alan Mulally, Ford president and chief executive officer, said the automaker’s 2014 forecast called for sales of between “16 million and 17 million units.”
General Motors also predicted modest global industry growth in 2014 driven by the United States, China and Europe. Based on this outlook and the introduction of key vehicles globally, the company expects its total earnings before interest and tax adjusted to be modestly improved with improved underlying operating performance more than offsetting increased restructuring expense. Additionally, the company said it expected EBIT-adjusted margins will be similar to last year.
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“We continue to perform well in the two most important markets in the world, the U.S. and China,” said GM CEO Mary Barra. “We’re taking advantage of our strength in these countries to restructure and make the investments necessary to grow profitably in other parts of the world.”