2007 car sales dipped in the Valley

Car buyers were cautious last year.

Sales numbers released Wednesday showed a 2 percent drop in new vehicles sales in Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana counties in 2007.

Used vehicle sales are believed to be down but the extent is uncertain. Figures reported to the Automobile Dealers Association of Eastern Ohio show a 21 percent drop, but car dealers are questioning whether the drop was really that large.

Steve Chos, executive vice president of the association, said he had been assured by his supplier that the numbers are correct but he’s going to check again after receiving dealer complaints. He added that a dealers association in Akron also is questioning its figures.

The percentage of the drop is in question, but it’s clear that demand for used vehicles is down, said car dealer Dave Sweeney.

His family’s Boardman dealerships — Sweeney Buick Pontiac GMC and Sweeney Chevrolet — have about 200 used cars on the lots, down from about 350 a few years ago.

For more on this story, see Thursday’s Vindicator or www.vindy.com.