With a slowing economic recovery, automakers are bucking the trend.The big three posted strong sales numbers in June, indicating that the industry is back on track.
According to the reports, General Motors, Chrysler, and Ford vehicles are flying off the lots, but Kia Motors America seems to be taking the industry by storm.
College student Stephanie Cassella loves her new car.
“I get a car wash every Monday, I treat it good, I still have the floor mats in the car,” Cassella said.
She is one of the millions of people in the U.S. who decided June was the month to buy.
“The economy is getting a lot better now,” Cassella said.
According to June’s sales numbers, the auto industry is back in business.
Chrysler reported a 20 percent sales increase, its best June since 2007.
At General Motors, sales were up 16 percent year-over-year, and Ford Motors posted a seven percent jump.
Meanwhile, back in the lot where Cassella fell in love, Kia Motors America is being hailed as one of the fastest-growing car companies in the nation.
“It's a beautiful car,” said Sales Manager Todd Fulkerson as he showed the Kia Optima.
He says it’s the hottest car on the lot and has helped the dealership more than double their regular monthly sales numbers in the month of June.
“We were number one Kia store in the northeast region, and number nine in the country,” he said.
Experts said the strong numbers indicate that people are ready to buy, but aren't looking to spend too much.
“You’re getting a lot more equipment for less,” Fulkerson said.
Pair low interest rates with falling gas prices and greater incentives and it looks like the auto industry is experiencing the perfect storm.
“I just put $40 in my tank last week and I still have a great amount of gas,” Cassella said. “I love it and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”
“Now is the time to buy, definitely,” Fulkerson said.
Toyota posted a 60 percent sales increase, indicating that the Japanese economy has recovered from the devastating earthquake and tsunami.
