MONROE - Area car dealers report 2007 was a good year for new car sales, despite statistics showing sales were down across south central Wisconsin.
Sales in Green County were down 5.6 percent from 2006 and plunged 16.5 percent in Lafayette County, according to statistics from Reg-Trak, an automotive research firm in Waterloo published in the Wisconsin State Journal. Dane County fared better, with only a 4.1 percent dip in sales.
But local car dealers say that's not what they experienced.
"We had strong sales," said Buck Virtue, owner of Virtue Motors in Darlington. "It was much better than last year (2006)."
A big reason behind a good 2007 was farmers, an important part of Virtue's clientele in Lafayette County, doing well.
"I attribute it to strong commodities," he said. Because farmers are doing better financially, they can think about purchasing new equipment, including larger pickup trucks for the farm. These trucks can also be an important tax deduction for farmers, which made purchasing new farm vehicles an attractive proposition in 2007, he said. He estimated he sells about four trucks to every passenger vehicle.
Customers know his dealership's and its service department's reputation, said Virtue, who has owned the business since 1987.
"When times get a little shaky, people are a little more cautious where they spend their dollars," he said.
Rick Krenzelok, sales manager at Alphorn Ford in Monroe, also reported a good year for 2007, estimating sales were up at least 20 percent. More inventory at the dealership may have contributed to that, he said.
High gas prices are still a concern.
"I think gas prices always play a role" in purchase decisions, he said. "But I haven't seen a lot of people trading in their SUVS and trucks."
Sales at Alphorn have been a mixed bag, with SUVS, trucks and passengers all being popular choices with customers.
Just north of Monroe, car sales have also been fairly stable.
"It's been pretty constant," Voegeli Chevrolet-Buick Inc. sales manager Jack Stenbroten said, noting business at the Monticello dealership was down slightly. "Maybe five units. Nothing drastic."
The car business has become more competitive over the years.
"There's lesser numbers walking through the doors than there was three, four years ago," Stenbroten said, noting there's more automobile manufacturers vying for consumers' attention.
Trucks remain a popular choice, despite gas prices.
"We do quite a truck business," with many non-farm families opting for pickup truck as a second vehicle.
Stenbroten said he expects 2008 will be steady, or down slightly from 2007.
"I'm hoping we do as good as last year. Realistically, if we do the same numbers as last year, I'd be happy," Stenbroten said.
Virtue offered an optimistic view for the coming year.
"In 25 years, I've only had one bad year and that was my fault," he said. "You can have a good year in a down market if you're a good enough manager."
Sales in Green County were down 5.6 percent from 2006 and plunged 16.5 percent in Lafayette County, according to statistics from Reg-Trak, an automotive research firm in Waterloo published in the Wisconsin State Journal. Dane County fared better, with only a 4.1 percent dip in sales.
But local car dealers say that's not what they experienced.
"We had strong sales," said Buck Virtue, owner of Virtue Motors in Darlington. "It was much better than last year (2006)."
A big reason behind a good 2007 was farmers, an important part of Virtue's clientele in Lafayette County, doing well.
"I attribute it to strong commodities," he said. Because farmers are doing better financially, they can think about purchasing new equipment, including larger pickup trucks for the farm. These trucks can also be an important tax deduction for farmers, which made purchasing new farm vehicles an attractive proposition in 2007, he said. He estimated he sells about four trucks to every passenger vehicle.
Customers know his dealership's and its service department's reputation, said Virtue, who has owned the business since 1987.
"When times get a little shaky, people are a little more cautious where they spend their dollars," he said.
Rick Krenzelok, sales manager at Alphorn Ford in Monroe, also reported a good year for 2007, estimating sales were up at least 20 percent. More inventory at the dealership may have contributed to that, he said.
High gas prices are still a concern.
"I think gas prices always play a role" in purchase decisions, he said. "But I haven't seen a lot of people trading in their SUVS and trucks."
Sales at Alphorn have been a mixed bag, with SUVS, trucks and passengers all being popular choices with customers.
Just north of Monroe, car sales have also been fairly stable.
"It's been pretty constant," Voegeli Chevrolet-Buick Inc. sales manager Jack Stenbroten said, noting business at the Monticello dealership was down slightly. "Maybe five units. Nothing drastic."
The car business has become more competitive over the years.
"There's lesser numbers walking through the doors than there was three, four years ago," Stenbroten said, noting there's more automobile manufacturers vying for consumers' attention.
Trucks remain a popular choice, despite gas prices.
"We do quite a truck business," with many non-farm families opting for pickup truck as a second vehicle.
Stenbroten said he expects 2008 will be steady, or down slightly from 2007.
"I'm hoping we do as good as last year. Realistically, if we do the same numbers as last year, I'd be happy," Stenbroten said.
Virtue offered an optimistic view for the coming year.
"In 25 years, I've only had one bad year and that was my fault," he said. "You can have a good year in a down market if you're a good enough manager."