LIHUE — New vehicle sales were up 32 percent for the first quarter on Kauai. And that represents the biggest increase in the state, according to data from a Hawaii Automobile Dealers Association report released this week. “The Hawaii Auto Outlook”
LIHUE — New vehicle sales were up 32 percent for the first quarter on Kauai.
And that represents the biggest increase in the state, according to data from a Hawaii Automobile Dealers Association report released this week.
“The Hawaii Auto Outlook” report notes that Kauai auto dealers sold 586 new cars or trucks between January and March, as compared to 444 sold in 2013. Light trucks garnered 67 percent of the market share. American vehicles accounted for 23 percent, and was up less that 1 percent from last year.
Sales have been on the increase for at least two quarters now, said Jim Benkert, general sales manager for Nissan of Kauai, a division of Kuhio Auto Group. He attributes it to manufacturers sending out the right products at the right time.
“The way the fuel economy is going, the sales are typically for the fuel efficient cars along with manufacture support,” Benkert said, adding that inventory levels and good interest rates and low financing are other factors.
Ford captured 10.2 percent of the market share.
John Immel, finance manager for Kuhio Ford, said strong sales are in large part due to vehicles that are perhaps the best Ford has ever put out on the road. It is the culmination of three years of belt-tightening strategies to produce what people want — fuel efficient and reliable vehicles, he said.
“Ford has the best trucks, and the Mazda and Ford cars are wonderful right now,” Immel said.
As for the economy, Immel said the tourism industry has been consistently strong for the same three-year period. When the visitors are on island, then the residents are earning money and will buy more cars.
Toyota accounted for 29.9 percent of all cars and trucks sold on Kauai in the first quarter. This was the most of any brand with Honda trailing in second at 16.7 percent, and Nissan in third at 13.5 percent.
Staff at Servo Auto Kauai, a Toyota dealership, said they just started selling Subaru this week and have high hopes for the vehicle as it was named the highest selling vehicle statewide.
There were 194 electric and 612 hybrid first-quarter statewide sales of all models, which is up slightly with a pace to match the 3,224 sold in all of 2013, according to the report.
Ron Valencia, the general sales manager, at King Auto Center, a dealership for Honda, Dodge, Chrystler, Jeep, and Ram trucks, said the good news is that sales of traditionally popular vehicles like the Ram trucks were in a slump and are selling now.
The improving economy has helped the King Auto franchise do well as a whole along with strong sales of pre-owned vehicles, he said. Sales are better than any of the previous three quarters and things started picking up in October, he said.
“The first quarter sets the tone for our year and it’s been quite well for us,” Valencia said. “Hopefully, the rising tide will lift all boats at the same time.”
