The month of October was not only a historically low month for the stock market, but the automotive industry as well.  “This is the lowest I’ve seen sales in 25 years”, says Bill Pearson, Assistant Sales Manager of Hondru Dodge of E-town.  Ford Motors reported a sales decrease of 30% compared to last year.  Ford is not alone in their struggle.  Chrysler Dodge reported a sales decrease of 35% compared to last year, and General Motors reported a staggering 45% sales decrease.

     Though this sales decrease is quite large when compared to last year, sales associates are remaining optimistic.  The automotive sales industry is a fulctuating market and sales associates have learned to “roll with the punches”.  “I think it will get better.  Ford is estimating late 2009 and early 2010 to be the best time to buy a new Ford” said Lance Patton, a Sales Associate from Whitmoyer Ford of Mount Joy.

     Sales associates are also boasting the fact that they have loyal customers that keep buying.  “We treat them great here, and they keep coming back” mentioned Patton.  Automotive sales are indeed down, but to many sales associates, it’s just another dry month.  Spring is usually our best time of the year.  “I expect it to pick up starting in March or April” said Pearson.

     New car dealerships aren’t the only ones who are facing sales struggles.  Used car dealerships are going through the same thing.  “It’s the best time ever to buy a 4-wheel drive vehicle, but no one is.  Everyone is still scared of the gas prices and the economy.” said Bruce Stout, General Manager of Ladd-Hanford Pre-Owned.  Used and new car dealerships alike will just have to wait out this sales dry spell and see what happens.

Reported by: Jamie Smith

This entry was posted on Wednesday, November 5th, 2008 at 12:34 pm and is filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.