UPDATE 1-Chrysler international sales in January up 12 pct

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DETROIT, Feb 7 (Reuters) - Chrysler LLC on Thursday said international sales in January rose 12 percent.

The U.S. automaker said sales outside North America rose to 16,784 vehicles, marking the second-best January results in the company's history.

Chrysler, which sells its vehicles in more than 125 countries, said Jeep brand sales grew 11 percent, while Dodge brand sales jumped 39 percent on strong demand in both emerging and established markets.

The Auburn Hills, Michigan-based automaker said its minivans were its highest volume sellers, posting January sales of 2,525 units, followed by the Dodge Caliber car with 1,912 units and Chrysler 300C sedan with 1,894 units.

Sales in Italy, Chrysler's highest-volume market outside North America, grew 16 percent to 1,854 units, the company said. Emerging markets, such as Eastern Europe, where sales were up 59 percent, and China, where sales nearly tripled, made significant contributions, Chrysler said.

On Feb. 1, Chrysler reported that its U.S. sales in January fell 12 percent to 137,392 units as it slashed sales to rental fleets and saw weaker demand for its pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles. (Reporting by Ben Klayman, editing by Gerald E. McCormick)