Sales at Orange County auto dealers rose sharply in February.
Sales were up 49% from a year earlier to 8,727 autos, according to the Newport Beach-based Orange County Automobile Dealers Association.
The figure is based on registrations with the state, a barometer of sales.
Dealers appear to be in full recovery with at least six consecutive months of sales growth. February’s rise is the sharpest seen since last June.
Still, February’s auto sales were below the 13,468 autos that dealers sold in February of 2006, when the market was stronger.
South Korean automakers Hyundai and Kia, which have their U.S. bases in Orange County, continue to boost sales in OC.
Hyundai was up 65% to 649 autos sold. Kia was up 454% to 255 autos.
Luxury car sales improved for all of the major brands.
Mercedes-Benz was up nearly 33% to 546 autos for February. Lexus was up nearly 17% to 370 autos. BMW was up nearly 8% to 356 autos.
Porsche was up 82% to 62 cars. Jaguar sales were up 9% at 24 autos.
General Motors’ Cadillac was up 25% to 94 autos.
Japanese automakers Toyota and its key rival Honda were both up. Toyota was up nearly 48% to 1,680 autos sold in February.
Honda boosted sales nearly 50% to 1,249 autos.
Among the domestic brands, Ford’s sales rose 72% to 757 autos. GM’s GMC brand was up 64% to 125 autos.
