LIMA — New car sales were up nearly 10 percent in Allen County for 2016, which officials say is an indication that local consumers are feeling better about the economy.
The number of new vehicles sold in the county was 11,720 for 2016, a 9.9 percent increase from 2015 when 10,660 new cars were sold. The more than 1,000-unit surge was helped by a strong December, when 494 units were sold in the county. This represented a 23.8-percent increase from November, when 399 new vehicles were sold.
“I do think 2016 was a successful year with our numbers going up each month,” said Kris Thompson, manager of the Allen County Title Department. “There were a few things that probably added to the success of 2016.”
Thompson said these factors included lower gas prices, year-end incentives from automakers and an improved economy.
“I think the public is feeling better about the economy and they are ready to upgrade their vehicle to a newer model,” she said. “Also, in general, the gas prices have stayed rather low in the year 2016, which helps with the larger vehicles being sold.”
Thompson said she is hopeful that new vehicle sales will continue to rise in 2017.
“If the economy keeps improving and the gas prices can stay somewhat low, I feel we will have another good year for moving vehicles in 2017,” she said.
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