Auto dealers weathered the storm and look ahead with optimism

SUMMERSIDE - The economic recession seemed to be only a minor speed bump for city auto dealers last year.
Despite 2009 sales being down more than 10 per cent across the country, some Summerside dealers say the recession barely made a dent.
"Atlantic Canada sales for Ford were up 14 per cent last year and our sales here were up 24 per cent over last year," said Rod MacDonald, general manager of the D. Alex MacDonald Ford dealership. "You don't see Atlantic Canada get hit very often. It's usually the larger (dealerships) in Ontario."
MacDonald said Islanders are buying a wide variety of vehicles. Trucks like the Ranger, small SUVs and the Focus and Fusion remain popular.
Jeff Hemphill of Hemphill GM reported an increase in truck sales in 2009 as well, and said his dealership also weathered the economic storm.
"We had an average year which is exceptionally good considering the climate. We gained a little market share last year as well," Hemphill said.
General Motors seems to have met with success across the board. Last December, the company announced it would repay the $6.7 billion in U.S. government loans by June 2010.
Dave Clark, owner and general manager of Clark's Toyota, said his 2009 sales were up about five per cent from 2008, with most people buying smaller, more fuel-efficient vehicles.
Some stock problems in 2009 didn't result in a serious impact on business, he said.
"Toyota experienced some rotating closures of its plants, so it was difficult to get certain models at certain times of the year," Clark said. "It wasn't a big difficulty for us. That situation should improve as the other plants start to predict the amount of sales for the bigger markets."
Encouraged by last year's sales, the Summerside dealers are looking forward to an even better 2010.
"With the dismal conditions in the U.S., now is an excellent time to buy and incentives on new vehicles have never been stronger," said Hemphill.
Clark said the 2009 sales increase for the Toyota dealership was a modest one, but it was the best anyone could ask for given the economic conditions.
"Going forward (in 2010), we're looking forward to a five-to-10 per cent increase over last year," he said. "We were very pleased last year that, in all aspects, we had an increase over 2008 and, in that kind of economy, I'll take that anytime."