Based on the latest reports released by the Commonwealth Auto Dealers Association, the island’s three car dealers — Microl Corp., Joeten Motors and Triple “J” Motors — sold a total of 68 brand new cars for January. Only 36 brand new cars were sold in January last year.
It was not immediately known if the increase in sales had something to do with last month’s swearing in of newly elected officials who are provided with taxpayer-paid vehicles.
“I feel this is a very positive start to the year,” CADA president Joeten Motors general manager and Matthew Deets said.
January’s brand new car sales comprised of 34 sedans, 12 trucks, one van and 21 sport utility vehicles.
Microl Corp. topped January’s sales in brand new cars with 35 units sold, followed by Joeten Motors with 20, and Triple “J” with 13.
The Toyota brand remains as the vehicle of choice for the month, with 14 units sold, representing a 38.89 percent of the market share. Nissan followed with 7 units. Kia, Hyundai, Mitsubishi and Mazda sold three units each. Suzuki sold two; Chevrolet, one.
The three car dealers sold 28 used cars in January. Joeten Motors topped the sales with 14 units, claiming a 50 percent market share.
Microl Corp. sold 14 while Triple “J” sold five.
Joeten Motors is the island’s dealer of Nissan, Ford, Honda, and Kia. Microl Corp. distributes Toyota and Chevrolet while Triple “J” Motors sells Hyundai, Mitsubishi, Isuzu, Suzuki and Mazda.
In 2009, the three car dealers sold a total of 469 brand new cars — a 21.18 percent decrease compared to the 595 units sold in 2008.
