Chrysler is continuing to cut the percentage of its vehicles sold to fleets, with retail buyers responsible for a greater share of sales. In August 2014, U.S. retail sales rose by 23% over August 2013.
Aren't fleet sales.....at least the ones to rental car agencies a good way to market your vehicles ?
I would certainly think so......especially for conquest buyers.
It is a give and take. If the rentals are bare bones cars, they may not leave good impressions. Rentals can erode residual values as the rental fleets turn over regularly.
That seems to be the current trend. I sell lots of parts ( collision ) to rental fleets, and almost all of them are the mid-upper trim level vehicles now. Someone figured out you cant have stripper versions in the fleet market without it hurting you in every way. At least with decent level vehicles out there, they have a chance to make a postitive impression.
Bear in mind, not all fleet sales are to rental car companies. But these are the most visible fleet sales. Accordingly, it is likely mutually beneficial to the rental agencies, and the companies selling to them to use the mid to high range trim levels. I have no doubt that the less visible fleet sales are still mostly stripped down models.
When my mom was down in July they rented a 2014 JGC Limited with the 3.6 and loved it. It was nicely equipped minus the nasty base radio but they didnt mind it apparently. I guess I am biased since I know about the 8.4
When I won my Dart, it actually went through Fleet sales, so I guess there's that too. Promotion vehicles and give-aways, things like that. I wonder if some of the show-cars are considered fleet too?
I don't believe show cars are considered to be sales. I don't know how promotional give away cars are considered, probably they are sales. Press fleet cars are sales and I suspect are marked as fleet. Honda usually is 98% retail and Toyota usually is around 90% retail but last month was 98%.
I rent a couple times a week through National. I always look for FCA products, and they tend to be mid-level or higher. I'm seeing fewer FCA vehicles on the rental lots lately, and I'm forced to take GM products.
Our local dealer gives us a free rental most visits, the place they use to have a ton of darts (like 15) and fiats, now a couple avengers, like 2 Durango's and a bunch of gm stuff.
I'm seeing a fair number of Cherokees on the rental lots I pass here in Houston, but the most common Chrysler Group models are still minivans. Sometimes you'll see a 300 or a couple Rams. Rarely much of anything else now that the Avenger is dead.
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