Auto industry posts best sales month in US since 2007

The auto industry is seeing an uptick in sales nationally, and dealerships in Eastern Idaho are feeling the growth.

This August, U.S auto sales jumped 17 percent from August, 2012, according to LMC Automotive. It was also the best month the auto industry has seen since May, 2007.

Mario Hernandez, general manager and owner of Teton Toyota, will begin construction on a new Volkswagen dealership later this month. He said the new development couldn’t begin at a better time.

“A lot of people have been waiting on the sidelines,” said Hernandez. “They’re back in the market now, they’re upgrading their vehicles.”

At Smith Chevrolet in Idaho Falls, Katie Welker says most of the customers she sees are feeling more comfortable financially.

“The types of people we see in the market probably are the ones that may have gotten hurt when the economy went bad,” said Welker.

Hernandez agrees, adding buyers are taking advantage of low interest rates, high trade-in values and an overall improved economy.

“That’s kind of a perfect storm for the consumer, and we saw some of that in August,” said Hernandez. “I anticipate we’re going to see more of that into September and through the fall.”