YOUNGSTOWN — Auto sales in the Mahoning Valley were off last month from September 2020, yet dealers remain well ahead of the pace they set last year, according to the latest data from the Greater Cleveland Automobile Dealers’ Association.

The Cleveland-based retail auto industry group reports that in September, 4,682 new and used vehicles were sold across northern Ohio. That, however, is 11 percent fewer than the 5,261 vehicles sold in September 2020.

Through September, dealer sales are up double digits — 10.4 percent ahead of the 41,758 vehicles sold over the period last year. So far in 2021, 46,103 vehicles have been sold, according to the association.

The new and used vehicle segments had mixed results for the month but remain up for the year.

New vehicle sales fell 31.3 percent to 2,094 vehicles from 3,047 for the month. For the year, sales in the category are up 9 percent to 24,011 from 22,030.

Used vehicle sales were up 16 percent for September to 2,497. For the year, used vehicle sales increased 12.4 percent, from 18,874 to 21,211.

Dealerships in Mahoning County with the most sales to buyers in the Mahoning Valley for the month were Taylor Kia of Boardman, 228, the top-selling dealer in the region; Fred Martin Ford, 216; and Sweeney Buick GMC, 197.

The top new vehicle sellers were Taylor Kia of Boardman, 130; Kufleitner Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Boardman, 106; and Sweeney Buick GMC, 101. The top used vehicle sellers were Fred Martin Ford, 129; Greenwood Chevrolet, 118; and Fairway Ford, 106.

Across the association’s 21-county reach, the struggle for dealers to keep up with demand for new vehicles due to a worldwide chip shortage continues. Dealers sold 17,249 new vehicles in September, down 26.4 percent from 23,445 in September 2020.

“The limited supply of new vehicles is now impacting the sales figures more than any other month so far this year. As a result, the used vehicle market continues to be the place where consumers are finding new transportation,” said Louis A. Vitantonio, association president. “It will take additional time for significant new-vehicle supply to return to dealership lots.”

“If a consumer is looking for a new vehicle, their best option is to reserve one that is still in production, or en route to the dealership,” he said.

Used vehicle sales remained steady. Dealers reported 20,674 last month, an increase of 6.5 percent compared with one year ago.

business@tribtoday.com