In Valley, auto-sales slump goes on

STAFF REPORT

The auto-sales slump continues in the Mahoning Valley.

Sales of new vehicles were down 32 percent in June, while used vehicle sales were off 10 percent, the Automobile Dealers Association of Eastern Ohio said Monday.

Dealers in Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana counties sold 1,746 new vehicles last month, compared with 2,564 in June 2008.

Even though last month’s total was down, June was the best month for new-vehicle sales since stock markets crashed and credit market froze up in October. New-vehicle sales have been down significantly since then.

In the first half of this year, dealers have sold 8,643 new vehicles, which was down 43 percent from the 15,101 sold during the same time last year.

One of the biggest changes from a year ago is the difficulty in obtaining a lease on a vehicle. Last month, 7 percent of new-vehicle deals were leases, compared with 36 percent in June 2008.

The top new-car dealers last month were Bob & Chuck Eddy Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep in Austintown, 104 sales; Stadium GM Superstore in Salem, 95; and Sweeney Buick, Pontiac GMC in Boardman and Greenwood Chevrolet Hummer in Austintown, both with 91.

Used-vehicle sales have been up and down this year.

They were down in June. Dealers sold 3,416 used vehicles, compared with 3,796 in June 2008.

In the first half of this year, dealers have sold 21,079 used vehicles, which was down 7 percent from the 22,632 that were sold during the same time last year.

The top used-car dealers last month were Greenwood, 106 sales, Stadium, 91; and Saturn of Boardman, 80.

Sales leaders: Valley vehicles

Top-selling vehicles in Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana counties last month:

NEW VEHICLES

1. Pontiac G6, 114

2. Chevrolet Cobalt, 80

3. Chevrolet Malibu, 79

4. Chevrolet Impala, 67

5. Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 46

USED VEHICLES

1. Chevrolet Impala, 121

2. Chevrolet Cavalier, 89

3. Ford F-150, 78

4. Pontiac G6, 73

5. Pontiac Grand Am, 67

Automobile Dealers Association of Eastern Ohio