FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — Automaker Fiat Chrysler saw net profit jump to 1.81 billion euros ($1.92 billion) last year as a more profitable model mix helped overcome a sales decline in North American markets.
That will put more money in 40,000 U.S. union workers’ pockets as the company declared an average profit-sharing bonus of $5,000.
The 2016 result improves on a bare 93 million euro profit in 2015.
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles said Thursday that stronger profit margins helped its business in the U.S. and Canada despite a drop in unit sales due to the phase-out of the Chrysler 200 and the Dodge Dart. The company said savings on purchasing helped boost earnings there. Profits also jumped at its luxury Maserati brand.
