Local auto sales stay strong in June

Staff report

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Local vehicle sales continued to surge last month, building on the double-digit gains made in May and even exceeding them in some categories, according to data released Wednesday by the Auto- mobile Dealers Association of Eastern Ohio.

Nationwide last month, vehicle sales soared to a height not seen since before the recession, as the country’s automotive market continues to be an economic bright spot.

Analysts predict that 15.5 million units will be sold this year — the highest since 2008.

The Lordstown-built Chevrolet Cruze, which posted an all-time monthly sales record nationwide last month, was the Mahoning Valley’s best-selling new model in June, with 164 units sold.

That’s an increase from one year ago when 95 were sold and an increase from May when 143 were sold.

The Chevrolet Silverado pickup more than doubled year-over-year sales in the Valley in June, going from 54 units sold last year to 152 last month.

The Chevrolet Malibu was the third-best-selling new model at 136 units sold but still a drop from last year at the same time when 163 Malibus were sold.

Combined sales at Sweeney Chevrolet and Sweeney Buick GMC were 362, making the Sweeney dealerships No. 1 among the Valley’s new and used dealers.

Greenwood Chevrolet increased year-over-year sales by 37 percent, to finish at 274 units sold, making it the area’s second top dealer- ship and Taylor Kia sold 207 vehicles to take third.

Among the top-40 new makes, Chevrolet was once again at the top, increasing sales from 589 vehicles last June to 731 last month. Ford was a distant second. The company sold 355 vehicles in the Valley in June, up from 330 at the same time a year ago.