WARREN - Area new-vehicle sales eked out a 3.2 percent gain in April from the same month a year ago, according to an Automobile Dealers Association of Eastern Ohio report issued Thursday.
New car and truck registrations in Trumbull, Mahoning and Columbiana counties hit 2,150 compared to 2,083 a year ago. Year-to-date sales remained below the year-ago pace at 7,849 to 8,782, a 10.6 percent decline.
Bob & Chuck Eddy Chrysler Dodge Jeep led all dealers with 128 new-vehicle sales. Taylor Kia was second with 120.
Apostolakis Honda topped Trumbull County dealers with 79 new sales, 41.1 percent better than last year.
Greenwood's Hubbard Chevrolet was second with 63, up 125 percent, followed by Klaben Ford Lincoln at 57.
Used vehicles slipped 1.2 percent to 3,549 in April but were up 4.1 percent year-to-date at 15,030.
Greenwood Chevrolet in Austintown led all dealers in total new and used sales at 212, with Taylor Kia second at 184.
Greenwood's Hubbard Chevrolet topped Trumbull County dealers in total sales with 149, up 67.4 percent from a year ago. Apostolakis Honda was second at 113, up 39.5 percent.
Area buyers favored the Chevrolet Malibu, buying 144 compared to 119 last year. The Lordstown-built Chevrolet Cruze was second with 112 sales versus 165 a year ago.
Chevy led all makes with 576 new sales, 5.9 percent below the prior year's 612. Ford was second at 316 versus 311 last year.