Jeep CEO Mike Manley sees U.S. 2017 sales rise or flat regardless of fleet reduction

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV’s Jeep chief Mike Manley stated on Thursday that despite a purposeful reduction in fleet sales by the brand, full-year 2017 U.S. sales ought to still be up or on pace with 2016’s total.

“Full year, I believe it’s going to be a close run thing, we’ll be up or flat,” Manley informed reporters at a Jeep event. “Today we’re down, it was planned and I think it was the ideal thing for the brand.”

Through February, Manley stated U.S. retail sales to consumers were up 4 percent where as fleet sales were down over 50 percent. Fleet sales to rental companies, companies and government entities typically include steep discounts.

Manley, Jeep’s CEO, stated the brand’s redesigned Compass car has actually started getting to U.S. dealerships and the vehicle’s impact on overall sales should become apparent under 2 to 3 months as dealers stock up.

The previous version of the Compass was incredibly popular and the new model is anticipated to take on Ford’s Escape and Honda CR-V, both crossovers.

“It’s way prematurely to state any vehicle a success, but at the moment whatever seems to be on track,” Manley stated.

Manley stated he could not discuss exactly what the automaker would like to see from a review of difficult Obama-era fuel-economy standards that was ordered by Republican politician U.S. President Donald Trump previously this month. He referred reporters to remarks from Fiat Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne.

California chose last week to pursue the Obama-era targets, likely splitting the U.S. market in 2 as 9 other states will do the same.