**North American Growth Drives Stellantis Second-Quarter Recovery**
Stellantis, the multinational automotive manufacturer, announced on Monday that its preliminary vehicle shipments for the second quarter of 2023 experienced a notable increase of 10% compared to the same period last year, reaching nearly 1.6 million units. This growth was primarily fueled by a significant surge in shipments in North America, the company's most critical market.
In North America, Stellantis reported a remarkable 38% increase in vehicle shipments, totaling 445,000 units during the second quarter. This boost can be attributed to the introduction of new and refreshed models, including the popular Ram 1500 8-cylinder light-duty truck and its high-performance off-road variant, the TRX SRT. Additionally, the refreshed Jeep Grand Wagoneer, Grand Cherokee, and Chrysler Pacifica contributed to the strong performance in this region.
The company noted that the increase in shipments in North America also reflects preparations for a planned summer production shutdown, which is a typical practice in the automotive industry to manage inventory and production schedules.
In Stellantis' Enlarged Europe region, which is another significant market for the automaker, vehicle shipments rose by 5% to 762,000 units. This growth was supported by higher industry volumes and included approximately 33,000 vehicles from Chinese partner Leapmotor, which Stellantis distributes and sells in the region. Demand in Europe was particularly robust for budget-friendly models, such as the Citroen C3, C3 Aircross, Opel Frontera, and Fiat Panda.
Despite the positive trends in North America and Europe, Stellantis faced challenges in other regions. Shipments in the Middle East and Africa declined, largely attributed to ongoing regional conflicts that have impacted market stability. Similarly, the South American market, particularly Argentina, showed weaker performance, which affected overall shipment volumes.
Stellantis is set to release its full second-quarter results on July 30, which will provide further insights into the company's financial performance and strategic direction moving forward. The preliminary numbers, however, indicate a strong recovery trajectory, particularly in key markets where consumer demand for Stellantis vehicles remains robust.