Sales at Orange County auto dealers declined in August, mostly because sales were compared against the “cash for clunkers” incentive sales surge in August 2009.
Sales in August were down 9% from a year earlier to 8,382 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.
The decline is expected to be a blip, given overall improvement in auto sales this year.
Some of luxury brands saw gains. Mercedes-Benz was up 10% to 472 autos for August. BMW was up 26% to 460 autos. Lexus was down 4% to 404 autos.
The cash for clunkers incentive wasn’t typically used to buy luxury autos, so luxury brand sales weren’t skewed.
Audi was up 89% to 204 autos. Land Rover was up 58% to 60 autos.
Porsche was up 56% to 64 cars. Jaguar sales were up 159% to 44 autos.
South Korean automakers Hyundai and Kia, which have their U.S. bases in Orange County, fared relatively better than other brands in August.
Hyundai was up 4% to 388 autos sold. Kia was flat at 136 autos.
Japanese carmaker Toyota was down 30% to 1,756 autos sold in August.
Key rival Honda was down 4% to 1,185 autos.
Domestic brands were mixed.
Ford’s sales were down 11% to 646 autos. General Motors’ GMC brand was up 18% to 89 autos. GM’s Chevrolet was down 3% to 347. Cadillac was up 123% to 96 autos.
