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Valley dealers see rise in new-car sales
By Kristen Russo
YOUNGSTOWN
January new-car sales for dealerships in Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana counties increased about 62 percent compared with sales in January 2010.
The 40 new-car dealerships in the area sold 2,009 cars in January 2011 compared with 1,241 cars in January 2010, an increase of 768, according to numbers released by the Automobile Dealers Association of Eastern Ohio.
The ADAEO represents all new-car dealerships in the three counties.
“These numbers are phenomenal, and we’re hoping they stick,” said Steve Chos, executive vice president of the ADAEO. “The numbers are for January, which is typically not the best month for auto sales. Then again, we are coming off 2010, which was a pretty rough year.”
Sweeney Chevrolet in Boardman sold 146 new cars last month, the most for any dealership in the area. That is an increase of about 115 percent over the dealer’s January 2010 sales figures. Sweeney sold 68 vehicles that month.
“Business seems to be better. It seems to be trending up. Our lease payments are down to being very competitive, and our customers are seeing the value for the price,” said Doug Sweeney, president of Sweeney Chevrolet.
Sweeney didn’t give exact figures but said the Chevrolet Malibu and Cruze were his two top sellers.
Columbiana Buick Cadillac Chevrolet in Columbiana had the largest- percentage increase in January sales compared with sales a year ago.
Last month, Columbiana Buick Cadillac Chevrolet sold 118 automobiles compared with 34 in January 2010, a 247 percent increase.
“Everything is selling — from Cadillacs to Chevrolets to Buicks — they’re all doing really well,” said Rick Sandoval, general manager at the dealership.
Sandoval said that for his dealership, the upward trend has continued into February.
“This month is unbelievable. We’ve had so many cars sold over the last few days. I feel very fortunate. February is looking dynamite,” Sandoval said.
Like Sweeney, Sandoval said competitive lease payments are bringing in more customers.
“Right now, we’ve got people buying Cadillacs who wouldn’t normally think of buying a Cadillac, but the lease payments make it more affordable.”
Although overall sales have increased, some dealerships in ADAEO’s three-county region experienced a decrease.
Brittain Motors in East Palestine and Stadium Volks- wagen in Boardman both had a 10 percent decrease of one and two cars, respectively.
Armando’s in Canfield experienced a 61.5 percent decrease in sales, or a drop of eight cars, compared with January 2010. The Porsche and Saab dealer sold five cars last month compared with 13 cars a year ago.