Sales of New Vehicles Drop 17% in Valley

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- Sales of new vehicles in the Mahoning Valley fell 17% in March compared to the same period last year, the Automobile Dealers Association of Eastern Ohio reported Monday.

Dealers in Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana counties reported they sold a total of 2,334 new cars and trucks in March versus 2,810 sold a year earlier.

Combined sales of new and used vehicles were also down, the association reported. Dealers reported sales of 6,894 units compared to 7,209 in March 2011, a drop of 4.3%.

The top-selling vehicle for the month in Valley showrooms was the Chevrolet Malibu with 193. The Chevrolet Cruze, General Motors Co.'s fuel-efficient small car, sold 169, while the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 pickup truck and Equinox SUV sold 91 and 90 units respectively.

With 53 sold, the Ford Focus rounded out the five best-selling vehicles.

Among the dealerships posting the greatest sales volume were Taylor Kia, Boardman, with 149 new cars; Greenwood Chevrolet, Austintown, with 140; Stadium GM Superstore, Columbiana, with 124; Sweeney Chevrolet, Boardman, 106 new cars and trucks, and Bob & Chuck Eddy Chrysler Dodge Jeep, 105.

Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.