New-car sales in region up 21%

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

New-car sales in Northeast Ohio jumped 21 percent in May and are up 46 percent through the first five months of 2011, according to statistics released Wednesday by the Automobile Dealers Association of Eastern Ohio.

Area dealerships sold 1,837 new vehicles in May, led by three Chevrolet models: the Malibu, which sold 128 units; the Lords-town-built Cruze, which sold 107; and the Equinox, which sold 63.

Used-car sales increased 4.5 percent in May and are up 4.5 percent during the period of January through May.

Dealers sold 3,136 used vehicles last month, led by the Chevrolet Impala (92 sales), Ford F-150 (79) and the Chevrolet Cavalier (76).

Greenwood Chevrolet’s Austintown location was the top new- and used-car sales dealership. Greenwood sold 127 new vehicles, narrowly edging Taylor Kia of Boardman (120 sales) for the top spot.

Greenwood sold 128 used vehicles, 41 more than the runner-up, Donnell Ford in Youngstown.