New car sales rise in Central Texas

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Car dealers in the counties that make up Central Texas are seeing increased sales for new cars at a time when the rest of the region’s economy also enjoys continued growth.

Dallas-based research firm the Freeman Auto Report which tracks new vehicle registrations finds vehicle sales in Central Texas in February alone reached 8,296. That’s up from 7,495 in February of 2012.

The number is an increase of 10.8 percent from the same month last year. So far this year, 2013 car sales are up 62 percent across our region over last year.

The ongoing popularity of South By Southwest is a prime example of the lifestyle that lures some of Austin’s new residents. Overall, car dealers KXAN spoke with suggest ongoing job opportunities at major employers like Visa, Apple and Dell are leading people to feel more comfortable this year.

So, more are buying big ticket items: new houses for one, which often leads to a new car purchase for that newly poured driveway. And, after a few years of decline, local auto dealers say they consider themselves back in the game.

It’s no surprise for car shoppers like Eric Fitsch from Cedar Park.

“The little bit I’ve looked, I see new cars left and right at work and on the highway so it doesn’t surprise me too much, he said before a test drive of a new small SUV.

Salesmen like Chris Uranga at Covert Ford point out Austin is enjoying that magic formula of not only job growth and housing starts but rising, disposable incomes.

“We’re in a different economy, he said. “People were saving and not spending that money. And now, people are starting to feel a little bit better more comfortable about their situation and they want to spend the money.”

In fact, he says the dealership where he works as sales manager recently hired a separate manager just to co ordinate deliveries to the customer. And new numbers suggest that’s no fluke.

 “To meet the needs, the volume that we’re doing, we’re continuously hiring,” Uranga said.

This one dealership says it’s doing so well, it accepted two deliveries of new Fords Friday alone. That of course presents the enviable problem of where to put them all. They’re using every available inch of space including grassy areas behind the main show lot on Research Blvd. in Austin’s north end.

Vehicle shopper Eric Fitsch says he has other test drives planned. And likely whatever car he buys will help reflect new car sales numbers for March in Greater Austin.

“There’s so many options and so many nice looking cars out there now,” he said before driving off in a shiny blue SUV with dealer plates.