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Valley new-car sales up compared with 2010
Top five June car sales by dealer:
Greenwood Chevrolet, 157
Taylor Kia, 149
Bob and Chuck Eddy Chrysler Dodge Jeep, 123
Sweeney Chevrolet, 109
Stadium GM Superstore, 95
Top five June car models sold:
Chevrolet Cruze, 200
Chevrolet Malibu, 146
Chevrolet Equinox, 95
Chevrolet Silverado, 70
Ford Escape, 66
Source: Automobile Dealers Association of Eastern Ohio
By Robert Guttersohn
New-car sales in the Mahoning Valley were up almost 30 percent year-to-date at the end of June, compared with the same time last year, according to the Automobile Dealers Association of Eastern Ohio.
Sales in June alone also were up 18 percent compared with June 2010.
Chevrolet models Cruze, Malibu, Equinox and Silverado 1500 were the top four models sold in the region.
A total of 200 Cruzes were sold in June, up from 107 sold in May, despite there being no incentive packages on buying the car.
“Right now, it’s not about the rebate or the incentives,” said David Sabolsky, general sales manager for Spitzer Chevrolet in North Jackson.
Spitzer sold 74 vehicles last month, an increase of nine from last June, and its total sales for the year are up 44 percent.
“GM is just a superior product right now,” Sabolsky said. “Build a quality car, and that’s what people have always wanted.”
Jim Graham, president of the United Auto Workers Local 112, said GM learned from bankruptcy to not “take the customers for granted.”
The people of Northeast Ohio are “very loyal,” Graham said. “They understand the importance of the plant to our community.”
But he also said the strong global feedback has kept sale numbers for the vehicle strong.
“It’s had many, many great reviews, including European reviews, which was unheard of,” Graham said.
The Ford Escape, with 66 sold, rounded off the top five models sold in the region.