Chrysler Chairman and CEO Sergio Marchionne reported Chrysler LLC's full year final results Jan. 30 on an analysts conference call.
During the call, Marchionne also revealed a revised product plan for 2014 to 2016 which answered several questions about future products while leaving some others unanswered.
Financially, Chrysler had an impressive year reporting preliminary net income of $1.7 billion for the full year 2012, up from net income of $183 million a year ago, exceeding the guidance provided earlier in the year.
Net revenue for the year was $65.8 billion, up 20 percent from $55.0 billion a year ago with fourth-quarter revenue up 13 percent to $17.2 billion.
The Chrysler performance was driven by a wide range of new or improved vehicle products with worldwide vehicle shipments of 2.4 million for the year, up 20 percent from 2.0 million a year ago. Fourth-quarter shipments were 613,000 vehicles.
Worldwide vehicle sales for the full year 2012 totaled 2.2 million, up 18 percent from a year ago with fourth-quarter sales of 533,000 vehicles.
One significant highlight of the 2012 performance came from Jeep which was up 19% to 2011 with sales of 702,000 vehicles.
Grand Cherokee was up 23% with its best sales in the U.S. since 2005 and Wrangler up 16% with its best year ever globally. Compass was up 20%, Liberty up 10% and Patriot up 13%.
Ram brand trucks also had impressive gains especially from the new 2013 Ram 1500 pickup which won every major North American market industry award in 2012.
A product look ahead into 2014 was also provided that highlighted Chrysler's focus on continuing to enhance their products, gain market share and improve sales and profits.
The new 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee brings to the SUV market in 2013 a new 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V-6 engine with a new eight-speed automatic transmission delivering best-in-class 30 mpg, a range of 730 miles and towing capacity of 7,400 pounds.
A new 2014 Jeep Compass and Jeep Patriot will come to market with significant interior and exterior upgrades and a new power train. They will have a new six-speed automatic transmission and will also get 30 mpg with the 2.0-liter gas engine mated to a manual transmission.
The revised product plan revealed some of the following for 2014 to 2016.
Chrysler brand
Chrysler will not get three vehicles that were in the prior plan that were to be assembled by Fiat in Europe. The Chrysler 200 Sedan will get a major redesign in 2014 and (according to remarks by Marchionne at the Detroit Auto Show) is likely to get a new 9-speed automatic transmission for its power train.
There are three new or redesigned vehicles set to arrive for Chrysler brand in 2015. A new Town & Country minivan is in that group and there has been talk about some styling and feature changes that may have their origins in the Chrysler 700C concept minivan shown at the Detroit Auto Show this month.
Jeep brand
The new small Jeep to be assembled by Fiat is delayed until 2014. There will be two new or redesigned products for 2015 which may (according to reports by Automotive News) include a seven-passenger Grand Wagoneer. Two products are scheduled for refresh in 2016 and one is likely to be the Wrangler.
Ram brand
The Fiat-built Ram small commercial van (based on the Fiat Doblo) will be delayed until 2014. The plan also shows two new or redesigned Rams for 2016.
Dodge brand
Dodge brand will get refreshes of one product in 2013 and two in 2014. The Dodge Grand Caravan will get a new platform in 2015 and the brand will add or redesign an unidentified vehicle in 2016.
SRT brand
Even SRT brand, which just released a new Viper for 2013, will get a refresh in 2015. Three other brand vehicles sold as SRT versions will get refreshes in 2014.
Fiat brand
Fiat is shown to have up to seven new vehicles by 2015 and 2016. No details were available but Marchionne said that the Fiat was looking to branch out into "other" vehicle segments with these additions. The introduction of the new Fiat 500L four-door for 2013 would be an example of that "branching out" he spoke to.
The plan did confirm the previously reported resurrection and return of the Alfa Romeo to North America. The first is reported to be the 4C sports coupe that will arrive this year and is planned to appear in Fiat Design Studio showrooms by late 2013.
The schedule also shows five undisclosed Alfa Romeo vehicles to appear between 2015 and 2016. Specifics of the Chrysler brands they may be affiliated with were not disclosed.
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