Valley auto sales up in September, with Cruze skyrocketing

YOUNGSTOWN

Auto sales in the Mahoning Valley were up in September from last year, while Chevrolet Cruze sales skyrocketed.

There were 6,705 new and used cars sold last month, a 14.3 percent increase from 5,865 sold in September 2013, according to data released by the Automobile Dealers Association of Eastern Ohio.

Steve Chos, ADAEO executive vice president, said the sales for September were exceptionally high.

“It was a good September,” he said.

Chos noted that the Lordstown-built Cruze had strong sales in September. The Cruze also was the top new model with 255 cars sold last month compared with 83 the previous September.

“I think the Chevy Cruze’s reputation has proven itself,” said Glenn Johnson, president of United Auto Workers Local 1112.

Nationally, Cruze sales were at 18,415 last month compared with 12,730 in September 2013, a 44.7 percent increase.

The Chevrolet Equinox came in second for the Valley with 122 sold, and the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 was third with 108.

Chevrolet also was the top make for new cars with 749 sold, a 14.5 percent increase from last year. In second, Ford sold 342 cars last month, and Honda came in a distant third with 180.

Read more about local car sales in Friday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.