A Spike in Car Sales Show a Sign of a Strong Holiday Season

Santa Maria city officials are pointing at a huge spike in new car sales as a sign of a strong holiday season.

Some car sales nationwide had their best November in 13 years.

Car buying website Kelly Blue Book says around 30 percent of the sales happened over the Black Friday weekend.

Some Santa Maria car dealerships saw the same trend closer to home.

Nick Henderson, sales manager at the Santa Maria BMW and VW dealership, said, “Throughout the month it really built up, more towards the end of the month. The day before Thanksgiving, you could really feel the energy increase and the day after Thanksgiving from the moment we opened until well past closing hours it was non-stop.”

The sales were fueled by a lot of incentives including Black Friday weekend incentives.

Dave Cross, Economic Development Director, at the Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce said, “It’s a real success story among the car dealers.” Cross said,”Sales tax revenue in the fourth quarter continues to go up.” He projects a strong holiday season.

Cross said,”It’s an indicator that people have more money and they’re willing to spend it.”

Cross said people who shop local help the local merchants, non-profits, small businesses, and sales tax revenue for the city and public safety.

Cross said, “The trend has been upward with car sales, which is good indicator of how the local economy is doing.”