Jeep, minivans lift Chrysler sales 33 pct in May; sales top 100,000 for 1st time in 14 months

Jeep Wrangler, minivans lift Chrysler sales 33 pct

DETROIT — Chrysler Group LLC says its sales rose 33 percent in May, the first month it has sold more than 100,000 vehicles in more than two years.

The automaker says strong sales of its Jeep Wrangler, pickup trucks and minivans helped to drive the increase. It was the second straight month that Chrysler posted sales gains over the previous year.

Sales also rose 10 percent compared with April, and the company says that’s a sign that customers are returning to its showrooms. Still, more than a third of Chrysler’s sales went to lower-profit fleet buyers such as rental car companies.

Chrysler says it ended May with only a 49-day supply of cars and trucks. Industry analysts say a 60-day supply is optimal.