Sales of new vehicles hit a speed bump in September in northeast Ohio.

New car and light truck sales declined by just over one percent in September. compared to the same month a year ago, according to the Greater Cleveland Automobile Dealers' Association. That's still a four percent increase in vehicle sales so far this year. Despite the relatively flat month, local dealers in the Cleveland-Akron area saysb this is only a lull and that sales are still expected to be strong through the end of the year.

Leading the way in sales was Ford, followed by Chevrolet, Toyota third and Honda fourth. The dealers association reports 11 car brands registered sales increases in September and 19 for the year so far.

News Release From the Greater Cleveland Automobile Dealers Association

Cleveland, OH (October 10, 2012) – Sales of new car and light trucks dropped just over one percent in September, when comparing it to the same month a year prior, but remain up almost four percent for the year, according to figures released today by the Greater Cleveland Automobile Dealers’ Association (GCADA). Franchised new car and light truck dealers sold 17,159 vehicles in September of 2012 versus 17,409 vehicles in September of 2012, a decrease of 1.44 percent. Despite the relatively flat month, sales are still expected to be strong through the end of the year.     

“Consumer confidence, credit availability and home prices are continuing in the right direction,” said Louis A. Vitantonio, president of the GCADA. “Ohioans are buying vehicles which bodes well for dealerships, their employees and the communities the dealerships support.”

For the year to date, franchised new car and light truck dealers across northern Ohio sold 160,425 vehicles versus 154,751 vehicles during the same time period last year, an increase of 3.67 percent.

A total of 11 brands posted sales increases for the month when comparing figures to the same period a year prior. Ford continued its hold on first place with 2,786 vehicles sold in September. Chevrolet came in second with 2,342 vehicles sold. Toyota bested Honda for third place, selling 1,520 vehicles versus 1,502 units for Honda during the month.

Both brands once again enjoyed significant rebounds over September of 2011 with Honda registering sales growth of almost 10 percent compared to just over 19 percent growth for Toyota during the month.

11 Brands Up in September (‘12 v. ‘11)
The following 11 brands posted sales increases in September of 2012 versus September 2011: Acura, Buick, Chrysler, Honda, Hyundai, Jeep, Lexus, Porsche, Smart, Toyota, and Volkswagen.

19 Brands Up Year to the Date
The following 19 brands posted sales increases for the year to date versus the same period in 2011: Acura, Audi, Chrysler, Dodge, Fiat, Ford, Honda, Hyundai, Jeep, Kia, Land Rover, Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, Mini, Smart, Subaru, Suzuki, Toyota and Volkswagen.