By Mark Boshnack
Staff Writer
December 03, 2008 04:00 am In this area, November new-car sales were better than the national figures released Tuesday, area dealership spokesmen said. "We always do a little better locally" because of fairly stable employers and unemployment numbers, said Country Club Chevrolet President Tom Armao. State and local unemployment rates are lower than the national average. "But it's more challenging" because of the current economic environment, he added. Business was off about 25 percent for the month compared with a year ago, he said. Through the end of September, business was "on track" this year, but national economic problems are affecting all retail outlets, Armao said. He said he was confident "it will turn around." The news about the problems General Motors and the entire auto industry are facing has affected business, he said. If there is a plan worked out to provide a bridge loan to the industry, Armao added, it will help sales. An improvement in the stock market would also help, he said. At Oneonta Ford, sales manager Bob Carhart said he did not want to give specific monthly numbers, but with Ford providing several sales incentive programs, new-car sales are up a little bit compared with last year. At Scoville-Meno dealerships _ including Oneonta, Sidney and Bainbridge locations _ Chrysler, General Motors and Honda vehicles are sold, said Vice President Jim Meno. He said he did not want to provide specifics, but some brands are up for the year, some are steady, and some are down slightly. The dealerships were doing better than the national average in part because about 18 months ago, the company invested in such areas as parts and service, he said. The national credit crisis hasn't had much of an impact here, he added, because the dealerships work with community and regional banks.
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