FCA’s inventories are high but better than on December 1, according to Automotive News.  The company has gone from a bloated 93 days of cars down to 82 — still high, with GM at 71, Ford at 73, and the industry average at 63.


One can blame the 200 and Dart — 19,000 of one and 10,300 of the other — representing nearly 200 days for the 200 and 182 for the Dart. However, they have no replacements as far as we know, so at least dealers will still have compact and midsize sedans for a while... even if the Darts are all 2016s.

Ram’s 87 days of pickups are a much bigger number — 159,900 are spread around. Ford has 451,000 pickups (but a higher selling rate) and Chevy has just 155,100 Silverados.

The other problems for FCA, in terms of days’ inventory, are the Patriot (141), Cherokee (91, down from 125), ProMaster City (101), and Challenger (107). It looks like dealers were taking advantage of Challenger buzz when winter hit.

There are a lot more Patriots than you’d expect — 40,700 — in inventory. Dealers may not think the Renegade will substitute.

Fiats are still gathering dust; the least plentiful in selling days is the 500, with a 124-day inventory.

With so many cars on the lots, buyers may be finding some bargains, as sales are expected to slow in the upcoming year and dealers are likely eager to get rid of 2016 model-year vehicles.