Automobile dealers in the Mahoning Valley were on pace through February to eclipse sales numbers they set in 2019, and then disaster struck — the novel coronavirus caused consumers to stay at home rather than bargain on car lots.

Although the numbers aren’t as bad as some feared, sales slowed considerably in March, the first month there’s evidence of the effect COVID-19 has had on the market.

The state put into a place a stay-at-home order in mid-March, and extended it earlier this month through May 1, so April industry numbers for the Greater Cleveland area, which includes Trumbull, Mahoning and Columbiana counties, should provide a fuller picture of the decline.

April sales numbers will be available in early May.

Last month, overall sales fell 14.3 percent from March 2019, from 5,063 vehicle deliveries to 4,338, according to numbers from the Greater Cleveland Automobile Dealers’ Association. Many dealerships closed while those that remained open did so with skeleton crews.

For the three-month period, sales are down 4.5 percent, from 14,025 through the same time in 2019 to 13,389.

New car sales for the Valley saw the largest decline — 17.2 percent compared to March 2019, from 2,725 vehicles delivered to 2,255. Used car sales fell 10.8 percent for the month, from 2,252 to 2,007.

Through March, new vehicle sales fell 9.4 percent, from 7,760 to 7,032, but used car sales were up for the period more than 11 percent from strong sales in January and February. Used car deliveries for the period were 6,064, up from 5,975.

Across the 21 northern Ohio counties in the dealers’ association, sales of new vehicles were off by 8.15 percent for the month and 1 percent through the first quarter. Used car sales for the quarter were up 1.5 percent, and total sales were up .19 percent for the same period.

“Coming out of the Cleveland Auto Show, which ended March 1, the momentum for new motor vehicle sales was high,” said Louis A. Vitantonio, dealers’ association president. “As the middle of March approached, sales of new and used vehicles slowed drastically. Dealerships have scaled back their operations in compliance with the Governor’s orders which will limit April sales and beyond.”

Vitantonio had predicted a worst-case scenario of sales plummeting 40 to 50 percent in March, the No. 1 sales month in the region and Valley.

Dealerships in March in Mahoning County with the most sales were Greenwood Chevrolet, 263, down 24 vehicles from March 2019; Sweeney Chevrolet, 220, down 56 vehicles; and Taylor Kia of Boardman, 196, up 31 vehicles.

Greenwood was the overall top seller in the Mahoning Valley.

The top new vehicle sellers in Mahoning County were Sweeney Chevrolet, 163, down 53 vehicles from March 2019; Greenwood Chevrolet, 141, down 18 vehicles; and Sweeney Buick GMC, 114, down 12 vehicles.

The top used vehicle sellers were Greenwood Chevrolet, 122, down six vehicles from March 2019; Taylor Kia of Boardman, 89, down two vehicles; and Sweeney Buick GMC, 66, what the dealership sold one year ago.

rselak@tribtoday.com