Valley new-car sales dropped 10 percent in January

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

New-car sales in the Mahoning Valley dropped 10 percent in January, according to statistics released Thursday by the Automobile Dealers Association of Eastern Ohio.

Sales of new cars softened from 2,009 last January to 1,811 in the first month after 2011, the best new-car sales year since 2007.

The Lordstown-built Chevrolet Cruze was the best-selling new car in January. Dealers sold 132 Cruzes, 91 Chevrolet Malibus and 69 Chevrolet Silverado 1500s.

Cruze sales fell from 163 last January.

Malibu sales plummeted from 204 during the same month last year.

Greenwood Chevrolet, 4665 Mahoning Ave., Austintown, led all dealers in new-car sales with 127.

Taylor Kia, 7975 Market St., Boardman, finished second with 110 sales, and Bob and Chuck Eddy Chrysler Dodge Jeep, 4850 Mahoning Ave., Austintown, finished third, selling 95.

Used-car sales remained relatively flat, much as they did throughout 2011.

Dealers sold 2,785 used cars in January 2011, 37 more than they sold last January.

Greenwood Chevrolet sold 126 used cars, the most of any dealer.

Donnell Ford, 955 Market St., Boardman, sold 68 used cars in January, finishing second. Stadium GM Superstore, 214 W. State St., Salem, sold 61 and finished third.