Area vehicle dealers enjoyed their best May since 2008, as title offices in Trumbull, Mahoning and Columbiana counties registered 2,088 new cars and trucks.
The number was 13.4 percent better than the same month last year and better than any May since 2,666 sales in May 2006, according to the Automobile Dealers Association of Eastern Ohio.
Sales sank to a recent low of 1,261 the next year as the Great Recession rocked the economy.
Year-to-date sales of 9,937, however, were 6.5 percent behind the same time last year of 10,619, which benefited from a four-plus year high of 2,810 sales in March.
Used car and truck sales climbed 6 percent ahead of May 2011 at 3,327. The year-to-date total of 3,327 was 4.4 percent ahead of last year's pace.
Greenwood Chevrolet led all dealers with 141 new-vehicle sales and 235 total new and used sales. Kia Taylor was second with 129 new and 210 total sales.
Fact Box
Total May sales
Greenwood Chevrolet - 235
Kia Taylor - 210
Diane Sauer - 129
Klaben Ford - 119
Diane Sauer Chevrolet in Warren topped Trumbull County dealers with 80 new sales and 129 total sales. Klaben Ford Lincoln in Warren was second with 71 new and 119 total sales.
The Chevrolet Malibu was the area's best selling car with 172 new and 242 total sales.
The Lordstown-built Chevrolet Cruze was second in new-vehicle sales at 99, while the Chevrolet Impala was second in total sales at 156.