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2 012 POR T L AND I NT E RNAT I ONA L AUTO SHOW
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OF F I C I A L SOUV EN I R MAGA Z I NE
2012 PORTLAND INTERNATIONAL AUTO SHOW
89.012612 ASM
A hot December capped a year of growing
car and truck sales, creating momentum
experts believe will prove the auto industry
is back in 2012.
Mere weeks before the opening of the
2012 Portland International Auto Show,
manufacturers reported that 2011 was their
best year since 2009, when sales were boosted
by the federal Cars for Clunkers program.
The most recent figures show that 12.7
million new cars and trucks were sold last
year, up more than 10 percent from 2010.
Sales were especially strong at the end of the
year, with manufacturers reporting the best
December since 2007.
December sales were led by General
Motors, a remarkable turnaround considering
that the company was emerging from
bankruptcy at the beginning of the year.
Chrysler also beat industry expert projections
with a 37 percent increase in December,
another amazing achievement for a company
that had been in bankruptcy.
Other manufacturers also did well,
however, including Ford, Nissan and
Volkswagen.
Oregon sales were on track to beat the
national increase. Sales were up nearly 15
percent by October, the most recent month
for which figures were available. They were
led by Toyota, followed by Ford and Honda.
Experts attribute the rebounding sales to
several factors, including growing consumer
confidence that the worst of the recent
recession is finally over and the economy is
beginning to showclear signs of improvement.
Affordable credit is also available again after
years of lending restrictions. Manufacturers
are offering big incentives to attract buyers.
And, after years of drivers postponing big
purchases, the average personal car on the
road is now nearly 11 years old.
As demonstrated at the Portland
International Auto Show, the selection of
new cars and trucks has never been greater,
beginning with high-quality affordable small
cars, continuing to the safest family vehicles
ever produced, and including the most
economical large cars and trucks.
Add it all up, and experts are already
predicting growing sales through 2014,
beginning with another significant increase
this year. Paul Taylor, chief economist of the
National Automobile Dealers Association,
predicts nearly 14 million new cars and
trucks will be sold in 2012.
“Auto sales typically increase with the
exposure given to new vehicles during the
auto show season in the first quarter and
beyond,” Taylor says. “Lower vehicle costs for
car buyers through manufacturer incentives
and rebates, combined with low interest rates
will support stronger sales in 2012.”
Auto sales predicted to grow in 2012
By
Jim Redden, Pamplin Media Group
After a very difficult couple of years of bankruptcies, low
sales and general economic downturn, 2012 promises
to be the year of the turnaround for both domestic and
import manufacturers.