Local automobile dealers say sales are on an upward trend

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Matthew B. Smith, Laurel Auto Group vice president, discusses his family dealership’s new Nissan location on Eisenhower Boulevard in Johnstown in February. Dave Lloyd

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April 28, 2011

Anonymous The Tribune-Democrat The Tribune-Democrat Thu Apr 28, 2011, 08:36 PM EDT

JOHNSTOWN — Vehicle sales nationally are on the rebound coming out of the Great Recession, and local dealers are going after their fair share of the business.

“Absolutely, our business has definitely picked up over the past year and a half,” said Doug Rea, general manager of Kenny Ross in Somerset.

He cited wide interest in the Chevy Cruze and the new Camaro, which was introduced in 2010 with a convertible added this year.

According to inautonews.com, the 11 percent rise in vehicle sales in 2010 reversed a four-year slide. GM and Chrysler were forced into painful restructurings that included government-directed bankruptcies.

The positive sales trend continued into March. New trucks and cars were bolstered by rising sales of fuel-efficient vehicles and more Americans joining the employment rolls.

The past year was one of change for several dealerships in Greater Johnstown.

The biggest changes involve Laurel Auto Group.

Dodge and Dodge Ram truck lines are being added as the dealership’s Chrysler-Jeep and Hyundai lines move from 1880 Bedford St. to 1000 Eisenhower Blvd. in Richland Township. Extensive remodeling of that location – the former Wheeler building – has begun.

Laurel Auto expects to open the Dodge-Chrysler-Jeep dealership later in the year. It will join Tri-Star Motors in Somerset and McCall Motors in Ebensburg as Dodge outlets.

Then, the group will install Laurel Nissan into the Bedford Street building. Laurel Auto negotiated for the Nissan franchise after Auto Palace Nissan at 1605 Scalp Ave. closed last year.

Separately, Thomas Team Honda – created by the merger of Thomas Honda of Scalp Level and Team Chevrolet of Stonycreek Township – located last year at 1920 Bedford St.

The dealership set up shop in the state-of-the-art building formerly occupied by Team Chevrolet. General Motors had eliminated that franchise.

Looking ahead, Rea is excited by the prospect of introducing the electric-powered Chevy Volt to the region in the fourth quarter. GM allowed Kenny Ross and its customers to get a glimpse of the pioneering automobile earlier in the spring.

“I think it’s going to catch a lot of people by surprise by its power, with a top speed of 100 mph,” Rea said.

Including federal tax incentives, he said customers might be able to buy one for $33,500.

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Local automobile dealers say sales are on an upward trend

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