NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MEDIA CONTACT:

Sara Panza

Greater Cleveland Automobile Dealers’ Association

440.746.1500

New Vehicle Sales Continue to Climb in Northern Ohio

Cleveland, OH (March 15, 2012) – Sales of new cars and trucks grew by almost eight percent in Northern Ohio when comparing February of 2012 with the same month a year prior, according to figures released today by the Greater Cleveland Automobile Dealers’ Association.

The retail automotive industry in Northern Ohio sold 13,036 new vehicles in February of 2012 versus 12,089 vehicles sold in February of 2011, an increase of 7.83 percent.

“In February of last year, the retail auto industry in Northern Ohio saw a phenomenal increase of more than 44 percent over February of 2010,” says Louis A. Vitantonio, president of the GCADA. “While we didn’t match that kind of growth this year, the fact that we are still growing shows that the industry is getting stronger every day.

“Initial reports coming from our member dealers on the impact of the recent Cleveland Auto Show indicate that showroom traffic is up and people are buying, which is another reason for continued optimism. The Cleveland Auto Show is typically the start of the spring automotive selling season in Northern Ohio.”

A total of 21 brands posted sales increases for the month when comparing figures to the same period a year prior. Ford led the way with 2,531 vehicles sold, outpacing the local industry with a 26.11 percent growth over the same month a year prior. Chevrolet came in second with 1,858 vehicles sold, while Honda gained third with 1,227 vehicles sold in the month, an increase of 21.49 percent. Toyota took fourth place with 1,093 vehicles sold, an increase of just over eight percent.

Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep continued their strong double-digit growth; Chrysler growing by 56.57 percent, Dodge growing by 30.35 percent, and Jeep growing by 69.13 percent for the month.

21 Brands Up in February (‘12 v. ‘11)

The following 21 brands posted sales increases in February 2012 versus February 2011: BMW, Chrysler, Dodge, Fiat, Ford, Honda, Infiniti, Jeep, Kia, Lincoln, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Mini, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Smart, Subaru, Suzuki, Toyota, Volvo and Volkswagen.

21 Brands Up Year to Date through March

The following 21 brand posted sales increases for the year to date versus the same period in 2011: BMW, Chrysler, Dodge, Fiat, Ford, Honda, Jaguar, Jeep, Kia, Land Rover, Lincoln, Mercedes-Benz, Mini, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Saab, Smart, Subaru, Suzuki, Toyota, and Volkswagen.

New-car and truck sales in Northern Ohio

February ‘12 / February ’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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