The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
SUVs, trucks driving auto sales
Consumers seeking larger vehicles in light of fuel prices, efficiency
Bigger continued to be better based on auto buyers’ choices in 2018.
“Sales of SUVs and trucks continue to carry the sales load,” said Lou Vitantonio, Greater Cleveland Automobile Dealers’ Association president. “This is the result of current consumer preference and low operating cost, including fuel pricing.”
While the demand for the SUV has continued to rise dramatically, no particular model stood out, he said.
However, with gas prices falling and fuel efficiency rising in new vehicles, customers are veering toward the larger SUVs and pickups, he said.
That holds true at Classic Chevrolet in Mentor, where the biggest seller last year was the Chevy Equinox.
“With a redesign and Chevy incentives, people left the small sedans and went up to the SUVs and the Equinox, in particular,” said General Manager Mark Carroll.
He added that sales were up 15 percent for the vehicle nationally as well as locally.
Overall, sales in 2018 were down less than 1 percent from the previous year in the Northern Ohio Market, Vitantonio said.
“The U.S. auto sales were up four-tenths of a percent over 2017 across the nation,” he said. “In short, Northern Ohio was off only slightly compared to the nation.”
He anticipates that auto sales will slow slightly in the market this year, dropping between 2 and 6 percent.
“Honestly, we’ve been on an upswing since 2010,” he said. “Unfortunately, if the market goes up, it comes down.”
Data was still incomplete for 2018 at Classic Auto Group, which has 16 dealerships across the region. Carroll expressed optimism about the outlook for 2019.
“With gas prices down this low and the return of the all-new Chevy Blazer, as well as a redesigned Silverado, I’m excited,” he said.
In the market
For those looking to buy in the new year, Vitantonio has the following advice: “Identify what your needs are for a new vehicle, set a budget and decide on whether you want to buy or lease. Research the current offering of vehicles that are available. There are a number of new technologies that you may or may not want in your new vehicle as well.”
Carroll recommended asking a dealer what incentives it offers. For example, customers may qualify for up to a $2,000 rebate for brand loyalty on a vehicle they are leasing, he said.
When it comes to the age-old question of choosing a new versus used vehicle, Vitantonio said buying new means warranty coverage and “peace of mind” on the vehicle’s history.
“On the other hand, a used vehicle provides options when your budget is limited,” he said. “With any purchase of a used vehicle, you want to inquire about its history, service records and whether there are any open recalls that need to be completed.”
Extra warranty can be purchased with a certified pre-owned vehicle, Carroll said.
“Leasing will normally get you more vehicle for less per month,” he said.
Vitantonio noted that a good opportunity to see multiple makes and models under one roof is coming Feb. 22 through March 3 at the Cleveland Auto Show at the IX Center.