Despite a persistent economic crisis on the Continent,  sales of Jeep vehicles rose 61.8 percent in Europe during 2011 compared to an industry decline of 1.4 percent - as the Chrysler Group pushed ahead with effort to expand the brand’s presence internationally. Chrysler/Fiat chief executive officer Sergio Marchionne said during an appearance at Automotive News World Congress that Jeep was one of the world’s genuine interational automotive brands and clearly in a position to expands its sales globally. In Italy, Jeep sales increased 117.6 percent last year versus 2010, with registrations also increasing 71.7 percent in France, 124 percent in Germany, and 21.2 percent in Spain where the economy has stalled.
 In December, Jeep sales rose 47.8 percent in Europe versus December 2010, while the industry declined 5.8 percent. "The increase in Jeep sales in Europe is evidence that Chrysler Group's integration with the Fiat Group is clearly working," said Mike Manley, President and CEO - Jeep Brand. "Much of the Jeep brand's success in Europe can be attributed to a strengthened dealer network, as well as a rollout of new Jeep models for the European market - including the incorporation of Fiat's fuel- and emissions-saving MultiJet II technology on the new 3.0-liter CRD engine that powers the Grand Cherokee."
In addition to increases in Europe, Jeep brand sales rose 44 percent in the U.S. in 2011, and 41 percent globally. By Joseph Szczesny