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Sara Panza

Greater Cleveland Automobile Dealers’ Association

440.746.1500

Retail Automotive Sales Continue to Climb in January, Driven by Double-Digit Growth in Light Truck Sales

Cleveland, OH (February 8, 2012) – The retail automotive industry in Northern Ohio sold 16,062 new vehicles in January of 2012 versus 15,317 vehicles sold in January of 2011, an increase of 4.86 percent, according to figures released today by the Greater Cleveland Automobile Dealers’ Association. Sales of light trucks grew by 24.38 percent when comparing January of 2012 with January of 2011.

While total sales of new cars and trucks slowed compared with the double-digit growth seen through most of last year, strong consumer demand continued to drive the market.

“We are continuing to see growth in the market, despite starting to come up against some stronger numbers from the year prior,” says Louis A. Vitantonio, president of the Greater Cleveland Automobile Dealers’ Association. “This month’s numbers are indicative of the strong, steady growth that we hope to see continue in the months ahead.

“New model introductions, signs of a recovering economy and a renewed interest in the automobile drove customers to dealerships in January. We expect this year to be the most profitable our industry has seen in some time as we quickly approach the Cleveland Auto Show.”

The Cleveland Auto Show, which opens its doors Saturday, February 25 at the I-X Center, is considered the start of the automotive selling season in Northern Ohio.

A total of 15 brands posted sales increases for the month when comparing figures to the same period a year prior. Ford led the way with 2,823 vehicles sold, outpacing the local industry slightly with a 5.8 percent growth over the same month a year prior. Chevrolet came in second with 2,396 vehicles sold, while Toyota gained third with 1,316 vehicles sold in the month. Honda took fourth place with 1,242 vehicles sold in January.

Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep started off the year on a good note, with combined sales of the three brands reaching 1,727 units in January of 2012 versus a combined total of 1,170 units during the same period a year prior. All three brands registered strong double digit growth: Chrysler growing by 60.7 percent, Dodge growing by 21.1 percent, and Jeep growing by 74.06 percent for the month.

15 Brands Up in January (‘12 v. ‘11)

The following 15 brands posted sales increases in January 2012 versus January 2011: BMW, Chrysler, Dodge, Fiat, Ford, Jeep, Kia, Land Rover, Lincoln, Mini, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Saab, Subaru, and Volkswagen. 

New-car and truck sales in Northern Ohio

January ‘12 / January ’11 & YTD 

Retail sales figures are based on vehicle registration reports from the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles.  Vehicle sales data includes the counties of: Ashland, Ashtabula, Carroll, Columbiana, Coshocton, Cuyahoga, Erie, Geauga, Holmes, Huron, Lake, Lorain, Mahoning, Medina, Portage, Richland, Stark, Summit, Trumbull, Tuscarawas and Wayne.

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