New Ford F150 trucks sit on the lot for sale Mountain View Ford Lincoln Mercury.
Car sales in Hamilton County and ChattanoogaSales of new cars and trucks in Hamilton County rose nearly 13 percent over last year during the first quarter, marking the best start for local vehicle sales in five years.
Chattanooga dealers sold 1,390 new cars and 1,637 new trucks to Hamilton County residents during the first three months of the year, according to vehicle registration totals released Monday by the Hamilton County Clerk’s Office.
Sales of new vehicles were still more than 35 percent below the peak reached before the recession hit in 2007. But dealers said more shoppers are coming into their showrooms this year and sales representatives are turning more lookers into buyers.
Todd Dyer, general manager for Marshal Mize Ford, said sales for 2012 could grow to rival the peak year of 2007.
“This kind of start is usually a very good indicator for the summer,” he said.