LIMA — New car sales in Allen County were down 15 percent in November, but local automakers are still on pace to sell more vehicles in 2016 than they did in the previous year.
The number of new vehicles sold in the county was 399 in November, down from 471 in October, according to the Allen County Title Department. However, it is up from November 2015 when 361 new cars were sold in the county.
Though local automakers sold 72 less vehicles this November, the first 11 months of the year remain strong.
New vehicle sales have increased by more than 1,000 units through November. From January to November, 11,226 new cars were sold in Allen County. That’s 1,057 more vehicles than last year when 10,169 new cars were sold through the same time period.
For the second month in a row, Chevrolet was the top-selling automaker in Allen County. The car company sold 269 new and used vehicles in November, up from 240 in October.
Allen County Title Department Manager Kris Thompson said that, as the year comes to an end, car dealers are offering substantial clearance sales.
“The dealers are trying to clear their lots of the 2016 (models) to make room for the new 2017,” Thompson said in an email. “They are offering great rebates and discounts on many models.”
Thompson said sales will likely slow down at the beginning of the new year, though sales of four-wheel and all-wheel drive vehicles may pick up.
“Overall, it could be another good year for 2017,” Thompson said.
