GREENCASTLE, PA- With 2012 having the highest car sales in the past 40 years dealers are hoping the streak carries over to 2013.
Car dealership officials say they'll remember 2012 as the year of a car-buying frenzy.
"We've had our largest increase this year since '07-'08," says Chad Zarger, sales manager at Antrim Way Honda. "We're probably up 25% over last year in total vehicle sales."
According to a Bloomburg analyst, the U.S. Economy was powered by car sales in 2012 making it the best vehicle sales streak since 1973.
"The previous recession had kept people from purchasing vehicles and the economy is turning around and people feel more comfortable borrowing money," says Zarger. "Upgrading their cars where they would've upgraded a couple of years ago and are in need of a car."
Although sales officials say the economy is part of the reason they've seen an increase in sales in the past year, some car shoppers say they're simply swapping in their old car for a more fuel efficient vehicle.
But hybrid cars aren't necessarily flying out of car dealerships.
"The non-hybrid vehicles get really good gas mileage as well so people are choosing the upfront savings because the non-hybrids are cheaper," says Zarger. "They're choosing the upfront savings rather than the gas savings later on down the road."
Analysts are expecting 2013 to top last years sales.
Final car sales numbers for 2012 don't come out until Thursday, but experts are estimating it to be in the 14 million range.
Car dealership officials say they'll remember 2012 as the year of a car-buying frenzy.
"We've had our largest increase this year since '07-'08," says Chad Zarger, sales manager at Antrim Way Honda. "We're probably up 25% over last year in total vehicle sales."
According to a Bloomburg analyst, the U.S. Economy was powered by car sales in 2012 making it the best vehicle sales streak since 1973.
"The previous recession had kept people from purchasing vehicles and the economy is turning around and people feel more comfortable borrowing money," says Zarger. "Upgrading their cars where they would've upgraded a couple of years ago and are in need of a car."
Although sales officials say the economy is part of the reason they've seen an increase in sales in the past year, some car shoppers say they're simply swapping in their old car for a more fuel efficient vehicle.
But hybrid cars aren't necessarily flying out of car dealerships.
"The non-hybrid vehicles get really good gas mileage as well so people are choosing the upfront savings because the non-hybrids are cheaper," says Zarger. "They're choosing the upfront savings rather than the gas savings later on down the road."
Analysts are expecting 2013 to top last years sales.
Final car sales numbers for 2012 don't come out until Thursday, but experts are estimating it to be in the 14 million range.
