Timmy Villaver just got a good deal on a new truck. "I just wanted to buy," he explained. The struggling auto industry could use more customers like him right now. According to the Hawaii Auto Dealers Association, Hawaii car sales dropped 31.5% the first six months of this year compared to the same time last year. That's about 7500 fewer vehicles sold. "This past month, we thought there was some level of 
consistency," said Brad Nicolai of JN Group, "then you'll hit a period of ten days where business is extremely light." Nicolai says part of it has to do with consumer confidence that's been shattered. When times are tough, big ticket items like cars are placed lower on the priority list. Business reporter Howard Dicus says people are holding onto their cars longer because of the recession. "A car that's still running, we'll decide we don't like the looks anymore, or it's all paid off and we'll get a new one, but in recession, a lot of people haven't been doing that," Dicus said, "theyv'e been continuing to drive their older cars because they still run." But there is some good news. Auto industry experts predict a nearly 13% rise in sales next year. "It's just a natural attrition of getting the older cars and getting people to replace because some people will just have to get new cars at some point," said Stan Masamitsu, president of the Hawaii Automobile Dealers Association. To survive, dealers are continuing to offer deep discounts, rebates and special lease rates. And shoppers have more negotiating power than ever before. That's good news for Kjell Newall. He desperately needs to replace his clunker. "It only goes up to 25 miles an hour," he laughed, "It doesn't want to shift."
consistency," said Brad Nicolai of JN Group, "then you'll hit a period of ten days where business is extremely light." Nicolai says part of it has to do with consumer confidence that's been shattered. When times are tough, big ticket items like cars are placed lower on the priority list. Business reporter Howard Dicus says people are holding onto their cars longer because of the recession. "A car that's still running, we'll decide we don't like the looks anymore, or it's all paid off and we'll get a new one, but in recession, a lot of people haven't been doing that," Dicus said, "theyv'e been continuing to drive their older cars because they still run." But there is some good news. Auto industry experts predict a nearly 13% rise in sales next year. "It's just a natural attrition of getting the older cars and getting people to replace because some people will just have to get new cars at some point," said Stan Masamitsu, president of the Hawaii Automobile Dealers Association. To survive, dealers are continuing to offer deep discounts, rebates and special lease rates. And shoppers have more negotiating power than ever before. That's good news for Kjell Newall. He desperately needs to replace his clunker. "It only goes up to 25 miles an hour," he laughed, "It doesn't want to shift."Source : http://kgmb9.com/main/content/view/19447/40/
