YOUNGSTOWN — Mahoning Valley new vehicle sales slid 18.5 percent last month compared with one year ago, and for 2022 so far, sales have tumbled nearly 28 percent under the weight of limited inventory and consumer concern over inflation.

The latest data from the Greater Cleveland Automobile Dealers’ Association shows in Trumbull, Mahoning and Columbiana counties, 1,992 new vehicles were sold in July, down from 2,445 in July 2021.

Through July, 14,061 new vehicles were sold, down from 19,518 over the same seven-month span in 2021.

Used vehicle sales for the month were down 7.5 percent compared with July 2021, from 2,555 to 2,363. For the year, sales are down 3.2 percent, from 16,205 to 15,671, according to the dealers’ association.

Dealerships in Mahoning County with the most sales to local buyers in July were Greenwood Chevrolet, the No. 1 selling dealer in the Valley last month, 250; Stadium Chevrolet Buick GMC Cadillac, 241; and Sweeney Chevrolet, 205.

The top new vehicle sellers were Sweeney Chevrolet, 133; Taylor Kia of Boardman, 125; and Stadium Chevrolet Buick GMC Cadillac, 108.

Topping the used vehicle list were Greenwood Chevrolet, 144; Stadium Chevrolet Buick GMC Cadillac, 133; and Fred Martin Ford, 107.

Across the 21 northern Ohio counties in the dealers’ association, there were 15,384 new cars, trucks and SUVs sold in July, down 24.6 percent from a year ago. For the year, new vehicles sales were at 115,572, a difference of 24.9 percent for the same period last year.

“Not only do we continue to struggle against inventory shortages, inflation has been causing some concerns,” said Louis A. Vitantonio, dealers’ association president.

“As fuel prices and the costs of other necessities begin to ease, consumers can feel comfortable considering the purchase of their next vehicle, keeping demand high,” he added.

Top sellers

Top-selling new vehicle brands in July in northern Ohio

Ford – 2,046

Chevrolet – 2,024

Kia – 1,390

Toyota – 1,138

Jeep – 1,095

SOURCE: Greater Cleveland Automobile Dealers’ Association