NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MEDIA CONTACT:
Sara Panza
Greater Cleveland Automobile Dealers’ Association
440.746.1500

Weather Doesn’t Slow, But
Does Change New Vehicle Sales 

Cleveland, OH (April 14, 2014) – While new vehicle sales continued to grow in March, adverse weather did have an impact on the kinds of vehicles consumers purchased. Sales of cars and light trucks grew by almost three percent when comparing March of this year with March of 2013, according to figures released today by the Greater Cleveland Automobile Dealers’ Association (GCADA). However, truck sales, which include SUVs and other vehicles that perform better in adverse weather conditions, grew by a whopping 16.59 percent for the month and are up over 10 percent for the year.

“While the tough winter didn’t slow overall sales, it did have an impact on the kinds of vehicles consumers purchased,” says Louis A. Vitantonio, Jr., president of the GCADA. “Vehicles like trucks and SUVs that handle better in winter conditions appear to have sold much better than cars. However, we anticipate a much stronger month in April for car sales as the weather begins to turn.”

Franchised new vehicle dealers sold a total of 21,148 cars and light trucks in March of this year, compared to 20,586 sold in March of 2013, an increase of 2.73 percent. In February, franchised new vehicle dealers sold 13,608 vehicles. From February of 2014 to March of 2014, sales increased 7,540 units, a bump which is typical of business generated by the Cleveland Auto Show. For the year to date, new vehicle dealers have sold 53,809 vehicles, an increase of 2.74 percent over the same time period a year ago.

Ford continued to be the Northern Ohio’s largest selling brand, selling 3,734 vehicles to Chevrolet’s 3,290. Toyota eclipsed its offshore rival Honda, selling 1,683 vehicles to the latter’s 1,524.

As with last month, brands that sold trucks or four-wheel and all-wheel drive vehicles performed very well in March. Jeep saw a sales increase of over 47 percent over March of 2013, while the Dodge brand rang up an increase of over 22 percent.  Subaru also saw a sales increase of over 10 percent when comparing March of 2014 with March of 2013.

Lincoln continued its brand resurgence, posting an increase of over 45 percent in March of 2014 over the same month a year prior. Its sales are also up over 60 percent for the year-to-date. Infiniti is also having a breakout year, registering an increase of 88 percent in March of 2014, over the same month a year prior. Sales are up over 70 percent year-to-date.

17 Brands Up in March (‘14 v. ‘13)

The following brands posted sales increases in March of 2014 versus March of 2013: Audi, BMW, Buick, Chevrolet, Dodge, Fiat, GMC, Infiniti, Jeep, Lincoln, Mercedes-Benz, Mini, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Smart, Subaru and Toyota.

15 Brands Up Year-to-Date Through March 2014

The following brands posted sales increases for the year-to-date:  BMW, Dodge, Fiat, GMC, Infiniti, Jaguar, Jeep, Land Rover, Lincoln, Mercedes-Benz, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Smart, Subaru and Toyota.

New-car and truck sales in Northern Ohio
March ‘14 / March ‘13 & 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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