Chrysler says US sales rise 40 percent in Feb.

Auto maker: February marked 23rd straight month of sales increases

DETROIT – Chrysler's comeback story now extends into February with the automaker posting its best numbers since 2008. 

The company saw February sales jump 40 percent over February 2011, with the biggest improvement coming in Chrysler brand cars.

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Despite concern over rising gas prices, the Chrysler 300 flagship sedan saw its sales leap 480 percent for the month.  Jeep sales were up 30 percent, Dodge up 27 percent and Ram sales showing 15 percent improvement. 

Even the disappointing Fiat 500 saw new interest with 3,227 vehicles sold for the month.

"Chrysler's sales performance continues to be noting short of phenomenal," says Edmunds.com senior analyst Michelle Krebs.  "Its sales were up 40 percent from a year ago, not only outpacing the industry but surpassing projections.  Chrysler's sales increase was delivered despite a hefty 24% decline in incentives compared with a year ago.  Higher sales and lower incentives spending will prove to be a winning combination when Chrysler reports financial results."

The Auburn Hills based automaker has dramatically overhauled its vehicle lineup, but more importantly has upgraded its powertrain lineup to meet the needs of customers demanding more fuel-efficiency.

"Our product portfolio now contains some of the most fuel-efficient vehicles in our company's history driving our sales up 40 percent in February," said Reid Bigland, President and CEO – Dodge Brand and Head of U.S. Sales. "A few years ago higher fuel prices were a major threat to our total vehicle sales whereas today those higher prices have become far less of an issue. We now have 13 vehicles with an EPA-rated highway fuel economy of 25 miles per gallon or higher, and six of those vehicles get 31 mpg or higher."
Better fortunes were witnessed for nearly every vehicle in the lineup, with the exception of the aging Dodge Caliber and Dodge Nitro.