Fiat Chrysler Profit Up More Than a Third as Europe Improves

Automaker Fiat Chrysler Automobiles reported Wednesday that its first-quarter earnings rose by more than a third mainly due to an improved performance in Europe and by its luxury Maserati brand.

The Italian-American automaker made a net profit of 641 million euros ($700 million) in the first three months of 2017, up 34 percent from 478 million euros in the same period last year.

The automaker, formed from the 2014 merger of Fiat and Chrysler, confirmed its 2017 targets, including net profit of three billion euros on revenues of 115 billion-120 billion euros. Shares in the company rose 4 percent to 10.09 euros in Milan trading.

Fiat Chrysler said adjusted earnings before interest and taxes rose by 85 percent to 178 million euros in Europe, with the Fiat Tipo family and the Alfa Romeo Giulia and Stelvio driving higher shipments, and by 75 percent to 21 million euros in Asia due to a joint venture in China.

In North America, adjusted earnings were flat at 1.24 billion euros. Margins improved as shipments dropped 6 percent to 609,000 vehicles due to lower fleet volumes and product changeovers, including the transition to the new Jeep Compass.

Latin America swung to a 20-million euro loss due to inflation driving up product costs and negative foreign exchange effects.

The new Maserati Levante helped boost the luxury marquee’s earnings by more than 500 percent to 107 million euros.