YOUNGSTOWN — Automobile dealers across the Mahoning Valley saw a gain, albeit modest, in new-vehicle sales in October compared to a year ago.

The 1,856 new vehicles sold last month to buyers in Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana counties represents a 0.8 percent increase from the 1,841 sold in October 2021, according to the latest data from the Greater Cleveland Automobile Dealers’ Association.

For the year so far, 20,029 new vehicles have been sold, down 21.8 percent from 25,625 for the same period in 2021.

The association, which tracks sales across 250 dealerships in 21 northern Ohio counties, also reported total sales — new and used — for area dealers were off for the month, down 2.4 percent to 3,941 from 4,038. For the year, sales are down 13.4 percent, from 49,541 to 42,879 through October.

Used auto sales fell, too, for October by 6.5 percent, from 2,140 to 2,000. Through October, sales are off 3.8 percent, from 22,905 to 22,022, according to the association.

Dealerships in Mahoning County with the most sales to local buyers in October were Boardman Subaru, the No. 1 selling dealer, 213; Greenwood Chevrolet, 193; and Taylor Kia of Boardman, 187.

The top new-vehicle sellers were Sweeney Chevrolet, 114; Boardman Subaru, 112; and Taylor Kia of Boardman, 102.

Topping the used-vehicle list were Boardman Subaru, 101; Greenwood Chevrolet, 97; and Stadium Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, Cadillac, 86.

Across northern Ohio, franchised new-vehicle dealers sold 16,373 new cars, trucks and SUVs in October, up 5.5 percent from October 2021. It was the first time since June 2021 that new vehicle sales exceeded the same month one year prior.

“As inventories steadily improve and consumer demand remains, we are seeing small gains in new vehicle sales as compared to October 2021,” Louis A. Vitantonio, association president, said. “Overall volume is still down, but will improve as model year-end incentives and promotions close out 2022.

“Interest rates and fuel prices will continue to play a large part in consumer confidence when purchasing or leasing a new vehicle, which may lead to buyers leaning toward used vehicles, as those prices have begun to drop,” he said.

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