Chrysler Targets 8% Global Sales Growth in 2013

Chrysler Group LLC is aiming for worldwide sales of 2.6 million vehicles next year compared with an estimated 2.4 million units in 2012, Automotive News reports.

Fiat-Chrysler Chairman Sergio Marchionne tells the newspaper he expects Fiat volume to shrink to 1.7 million vehicles in 2013 from 1.8 million units this year.

Chrysler sales growth will be constrained by capacity. The unit is using an average of 107% of its straight-time capacity compared with 92% last year, according to Marchionne. When measured against a potential three-shift, 265-days-per-year schedule, average companywide utilization has increased to 73% from 60% in 2011.