Vehicle Sales Slump Here, Across Cleveland Region

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Total new and used vehicles sold to residents in Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana counties tumbled during May compared to the same period last year, according to the Greater Cleveland Automobile Dealers Association.

Dealers in Ohio sold 4,421 new and used vehicles to residents in the three-county region, versus 5,218 sold a year ago during the same period, a 15.2% decline.

New vehicle sales dropped significantly during the month, the report shows. In May, local dealers sold 1,970 new cars and trucks to residents of the three counties compared to 2,857 in May 2021. This represents a drop of 45%.

Used vehicles, on the other hand, saw sales increase year-to-year, the report shows. Last month, local dealers sold 2,393 used cars and trucks, compared to 2,267 in May 2021, an increase of 5.2%.

Boardman Subaru registered the most sales of new vehicles to the region during May with 103, followed by Greenwood Chevrolet and Kufleitner Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram with 99 sales each. Sweeney Buick GMC reported 97 sales for the month, while Taylor Kia of Boardman sold 91 new units, according GCADA’s report.

Total sales of new vehicles in the greater Cleveland area (including the local counties) dropped nearly 29% in May compared to the same period a year ago, the association reported.

Franchised new vehicle dealers sold 16,402 new cars, trucks and SUVs during the month, Greater Cleveland Automobile Dealers’ Association, versus 22,872 sold in May 2021.

Sales were also slightly down month-to-month with dealers reporting a 3% decline compared to April. Dealers sold 16,938 new units that month, according to GCADA.

Year-to-date, new vehicle sales total 83,422, or 23.8% lower than the same period in 2021.

Despite high consumer and fleet demand, overall sales pace was held back by limited new-vehicle inventory across the country.

“Although the number of new vehicle sales continue to reflect the OEM production constraints, there is some improvement. Consumers who ordered their new vehicle after the Cleveland Auto Show wrapped in March are now taking delivery,” said Louis A. Vitantonio, president of the GCADA.

“We remain confident that 2022 will be a solid year, given the high demand still in the market.”

Ford remained northern Ohio’s best-selling automaker with 2,350 new vehicles sold. Chevrolet remained in second place, selling 1,925 new vehicles in May. Kia placed third last month with 1,583 new vehicles sold, followed by Jeep with 1,250 sales.

Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.