June was a dismal month for auto sales nationwide, hurt by a sluggish economy and poor sales of trucks and SUVs.
Many of Hawaii’s auto dealers are also coping with double digit declines compared to a year ago.
Last month was the worst June in 17 years for the U.S. auto industry.
Analysts say expect more dismal months ahead.
As gas prices continue to go up…
“Every day the gas is going higher and higher and higher,” said SERVCO customer Barry Wong.
…auto sales continue to go down.
Nationwide last month, GM sales dropped 18%, Toyota’s U.S. sales fell 21%, Ford sales tumbled nearly 28%, and Chrysler took a huge hit, with sales down nearly 40% compared to June 2007.
Here in Hawaii, SERVCO officials say they’ve also noticed a double digit decrease in sales compared to a year ago.
Meanwhile, at Windward Auto Sales, where trucks used to be their top sellers –
“Nowadays it’s the opposite people are trading out of the trucks because they can’t afford the gas prices,” said Clifton Reed, Windward Auto Sales New Car Sales Manager.