FCA lots start to clear

FCA inventories have fallen, according to the monthly Automotive News list, with a healthier average 74 days worth of stock on the lots — down from 81 at the end of last month.

The 200 and Dart, which have no known replacement yet, are standing at 121 and 138 days, with a natural slow sell-down to come; the 200 will be made through the end of the year, and has a 2017 model year, while the Dart’s already been halted with no ’17s. There are 19,500 200s and 15,400 Darts waiting for buyers.

The 300 is down to a very healthy 48 days’ supply from a stunning 114, with under 10,000 cars out there; the Charger is at 58 days, down from 104. The only scary member of the trio is the Challenger, with 90 days’ supply heading into the winter.

The company has just a month’s supply of Caravans, the same as last month, as buyers opt for the bargain-priced Dodge while they can; there are around 2,600 Town & Countrys still to be sold, as well. They’re not likely to last to December, much less 2017.

At Jeep, the Cherokee has fallen from three to two months of sales, putting it into the healthy range, and supplies of Wrangler, Compass, and Patriot are good; but the Grand Cherokee remains high and the imported-from-Italy Renegade has joined it.  Renegade sales are likely to climb once buyers can no longer get the Patriot or Compass, but that’s still a ways out. Dealers may be stocking up for winter.

Excess inventory on the Journey has also become manageable, from over three months worth to around two months worth.

Full-size trucks generally have high inventories due to the wide range (three capacities, multiple beds and cabs, RWD vs 4×4), and there are around 102 days of Rams out there — 158,400 worth.

Over at Fiat, inventories are getting better, with 500s down from 101 to 82 days. 500L supplies are alarming on a days’-sales basis (148) but since there are fewer than a thousand, it’s not so bad; the 500X is starting to pile up, though, and it’ll take over four months to get rid of the current supply if no new ones come in.

FCA started the month with a 74-day supply of vehicles, under Ford’s 77 and equal to GM’s 74, but as usual, well above any major import brand.