LIMA — The Lima region’s love for new vehicles remains strong.
Automobile sales in Allen County continue to climb, with a 13-percent increase in new-car sales for the first half of the year when compared to the same period in 2015, and an 11 percent increase for the month of June.
Ford was the big winner in new car sales with almost twice as many new Fords sold than Chevrolets.
A total of 8,775 new automobiles have been sold in 2016, compared to 7,954 a year ago. In June, there were 526 new vehicles puchased compared to 472 a year ago.
“We are seeing an upward trend, and hopefully it will continue as the economy seems to become more stable,” said Kris Thompson, manager of the Allen County Title Department.
The sale of large vehicles, such as pick-up trucks, SUVs and motor homes, has also increased.
“I do feel the lower gas prices are helping the economy with the gradual increase in the sales of vehicles of all kinds, including ATV, SUV, travel trailers and more,” Thompson said. “Nobody wanted to drive the big motor homes and trucks when gas was close to $4, but now we see a different trend because gas prices have dropped.”
Used-car sales also saw gains.
Total used-car sales in June were 2,483, which was 50 more than a year ago. For the first six months of 2016, total used-car sales were 8,332, up 574 from a year ago.
Across the country, new-car sales through June were up 1.5 percent to 8.65 million, eclipsing last year’s record of 8.5 million, according to Autodata Corp.
That was partly due to a strong June, which saw sales rebound after a disappointing May. Sales rose 2.5 percent to more than 1.5 million. Ford, Honda, Fiat Chrysler, Hyundai, Subaru and Nissan all reported gains for the month. Sales were down at General Motors, Toyota and Volkswagen.
“As long as economic conditions — like low unemployment and easy access to credit — continue, the industry will be in a strong position through the busy summer sales months,” said Jessica Caldwell, director of industry analysis for the car shopping site Edmunds.com.
Ford Motor Co.’s sales rose 6 percent to 240,109. Sales of its F-Series pickup — the nation’s best-selling vehicle — jumped 29 percent to nearly 71,000 vehicles, or more than one every minute. But car sales fell 12 percent thanks to Americans’ growing preference for SUVs. Sales at Ford’s luxury Lincoln brand were up 6 percent.
General Motors Co. said its sales dropped 2 percent to 255,210, due in part to ongoing cuts in low-profit sales to rental car companies. GM said its rental sales are down 37 percent so far this year. Cadillac sales were up 6 percent and Chevrolet sales were flat compared to last June, but Buick and GMC sales were down.
Toyota Motor Corp.’s sales fell 6 percent to 198,257. The company said short supplies of Toyota SUVs were partly to blame, along with weak sales of cars like the hybrid Prius, which saw sales slump 27 percent. Sales of the company’s luxury Lexus SUVs were up 11 percent.
Fiat Chrysler said its June sales rose 7 percent to 197,073. Jeep sales jumped 17 percent and Ram truck sales were up 14 percent. But car sales suffered. Chrysler brand sales fell 20 percent, while Fiat sales dropped 19 percent.
Honda Motor Co.’s sales rose 3 percent to 138,715 vehicles. The Honda brand saw increases in both car and truck sales, but sales at the company’s luxury Acura brand dropped 27 percent.
Tom Ahl Family Dealerships on Allentown Road in Lima.
http://limaohio.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/web1_Car_Sales_01co.jpg
Tom Ahl Family Dealerships on Allentown Road in Lima.
Craig J. Orosz | The Lima News
Ford most popular of new-car buyers
By John Bush
jbush@civitasmedia.com
Reach John Bush at 567-242-0456 or on Twitter @bush_lima