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Local auto sales dipped in 2015
By Kalea Hall
YOUNGSTOWN
The Mahoning Valley’s loss of used-vehicle sales impacted the overall dealer sales performance during the year.
Local auto dealers sold 73,262 vehicles compared with 73,523 sold in 2014 – a drop of 61 sales driven by a loss in used-vehicle sales, according to data released by the Automobile Dealers Association of Eastern Ohio.
The numbers are compiled from titles processed at county title departments.
Total used-vehicle sales dropped 273 from 43,215 compared with 43,488 sold last year.
Total new sales increased by 12 to 30,047 from 30,035.
In December, there were a total of 5,542 new- and used-vehicle sales compared with 5,454 sales last year – an increase of 88 sales.
In December, new-vehicle sales were up by 104 with 2,410 compared with 2,306 recorded in 2014.
Used-vehicle sales in December were down by 16 from 3,132 to 3,148.
“The used thing is a national issue,” said Greg Greenwood of Greenwood Chevrolet in Austintown. “A lot of places have a difficult time sourcing used cars. And for those who are leasing, that cycle has turned to a normal level of stability.”
Greenwood also explained that the used-vehicle market is down because the manufacturers have reduced their dependence on fleet sales.
Greenwood’s year turned out pretty close to last year’s sales. He was happy to note that his dealership was one of three Ohio stores to sell more than 2,100 new vehicles in 2015.
“I am just praying we can have a similar year [next year],” Greenwood said.
Greenwood does think that 2016 will bring better sales than last year. Analysts expect to see sales of close to 18 million this year, which would beat the new 2015 record of 17.5 million – this beat the 2000 record of 17.3 million.
Steve Bott of Mark Thomas Ford in Cortland also sees this year coming out better than last year.
“We had a great December, and I see the momentum moving forward,” Bott said.