In a year that saw a global semiconductor shortage hamper vehicle availability in addition to the continuing impacts of the coronavirus pandemic, Stellantis' U.S. sales took a relatively modest hit in 2021 compared with 2020.
The automaker, formed almost a year ago from the merger of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and Peugeot maker PSA Group, said its sales for the full year were down 2%, to a bit under 1.8 million vehicles, and for the fourth quarter, sales dropped 18%, to 411,513, compared with the same periods a year ago. Stellantis reports its sales as FCA US.
The company said its retail sales were flat for the year.
"Despite strong fleet demand/orders, prioritizing retail customer orders given supply constraints led to a fleet decrease of 8% in the fourth quarter and 13% year over year," the release said.
Of course, the sales numbers are compared with a down year, with substantial declines connected to the pandemic in 2020. Last year, citing a drop in fleet orders related to COVID-19's impact on the rental car business, FCA reported a 17% drop for the full year and an 8% decline for the fourth quarter. FCA sold 1.8 million vehicles in the United States in 2020 and 2.2 million vehicles in 2019.
U.S. Head of Sales Jeff Kommor struck an optimistic tone on the company's 2021 results.
"2021 had unique challenges driven by the various supply chain issues, but our dealers didn't let that slow them down, and we're proud of their sales performance," Kommor said in a news release. "As we head into the new year, demand for our vehicles continues to be strong and our inventory is improving."
The 2021 results included profitable new offerings such as the Jeep Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer, which sold 5,349 and 2,675, respectively, as well as the Jeep Grand Cherokee L. The company did not say how many Grand Cherokee L's were sold, but it noted that Grand Cherokee sales were up 26% for the year and that it had its best retail sales results since 2000.
Across the brands, only Chrysler was up for both the year and quarter compared with 2020, 4% and 18%, respectively. Ram was up for the year but down for the quarter, 4% and 16%, respectively. The others were down for both periods: Jeep, 2% for the year, 19% for the quarter; Dodge, 19% and 36%; and Alfa Romeo, 2% and 33%. Fiat continued its decline, selling 2,374 vehicles for the year and only 267 vehicles for the quarter, a 45% and 64% decline, respectively.
Despite Fiat's low volumes, Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares did not suggest that the brand would leave the United States in remarks to journalists in Detroit last month. Instead, he said Fiat could still bring something to the U.S. market, asking whether there was any reason a fashionable electric model couldn't sell in a place like California.
The company did not report U.S. Maserati sales. Other brands, including Peugeot, Citroen and Opel, are not sold in the United States.
Stellantis was not the only automaker to report sales on Tuesday. General Motors also released its fourth-quarter and full year 2021 sales numbers. The automaker, citing the chip shortage, saw its longtime U.S. sales crown seized by Toyota. GM's sales dropped 43% for the quarter and 13% for the full year; Toyota saw its sales drop 28% for the quarter but increase 10% for the year, compared with the same periods in 2020.
