Stellantis sales drop 1% in 2023 with plug-in hybrids up

The maker of Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram and other vehicles reported a 1% U.S. sales decline in 2023, Stellantis NV said Wednesday.

The automaker sold 1.527 million new vehicles last year, down from about 1.547 million sold in 2023. In the fourth quarter, Stellantis' sales dropped 1%. Dealers sold almost 344,000 vehicles, down from close to 348,000 in the fourth quarter of 2022.

Chrysler and Dodge were up 19% and 5% for the annual results, respectively. Jeep sales fell 6%, Ram 1%, Fiat 34% and Alfa Romeo 15%. In the fourth quarter, Jeep sales were up 7%, Ram's rose 3%, Fiat's jumped 51% and Alfa Romeo's increased 9%. Chrysler's dropped 59%, while Dodge's were down 8% as it finished production of the gas-powered Charger and Challenger muscle cars.

Stellantis touted its plug-in hybrid electric vehicle sales, which increased 124% in 2023 and 118% in the fourth quarter year-over-year. It said it notched a 47% plug-in hybrid market share with the additions of the Dodge Hornet R/T and Alfa Romeo Tonale crossovers. The Jeep Wrangler 4xe, Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe and Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid were the top three sellers with the mixed powertrain.

"As we navigate the wide-ranging transformations occurring within the automotive industry," Jeff Kommor, Stellantis' head of U.S. sales, said in a statement, "we are focused on achieving our Dare Forward strategic plan, and we will continue to work closely with our customers to meet their demands and the needs of our dealer network in pursuit of that goal."

This is a big year for Stellantis' entrance into the all-electric market in North America. It will sell eight fully battery-electric vehicles in the U.S. by the end of 2024, including the Jeep Recon, Ram 1500 REV, Wagoneer S, Dodge Charger Daytona and Fiat 500e. The automaker says it expects BEVs to make up 50% of its U.S. sales by 2030.

The drop in sales was an outlier in the industry. Earlier on Wednesday, crosstown rival General Motors Co. reported a 2023 year-over-year 14% U.S. sales increase. Ford Motor Co. reports sales Thursday.

U.S. sales in 2023 were up 6.6% year over year for Toyota Motor Corp., up 11% for Hyundai Motor Co. and up 23% for Nissan Motor Co. Ltd. Global sales for Tesla Inc. were up 38%.

bnoble@detroitnews.com

@BreanaCNoble