Ruth Lemmon speaks to Rotary.
Ruth Lemmon, President of the West Virginia Auto and Truck Dealers Association
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Ruth Lemmon speaks to Rotary. |
Ruth Lemmon, President of the West Virginia Auto and Truck Dealers Association |
PARKERSBURG — The purchase of an automobile is still very much an emotional decision, the president of
the West Virginia Automobile and Truck Dealers Association told the Parkersburg Rotary Club. | Even with higher gas prices driving a lot of the current economy, people are still looking for certain features and functions in their automobiles as well as whether it is a good fit for them personally, Ruth Lemmon told Rotary Club members at the Blennerhassett Hotel Monday. ‘‘When we look at where the automobile is, it is a very complex issue,’’ she said. ‘‘Right now, we are all going through the gas crisis. ‘‘Gas prices are making people think more (about their automobile purchases).’’ Lemmon said smaller car are definitely selling better, due to fuel efficieny, if it is strictly a transportational issue. However, there is now becoming an availability problem where there are fewer cars available. Through the month of May, the state has only sold just under 300 imported hybrids, she said adding the number of domestically made hybrids was not available. ‘‘That doesn’t tell the whole story, because they are scarce and they are hard to find,’’ Lemmon said. People are not buying as many SUVs or trucks, but a strong number of people are buying crossovers because those vehicles are meeting someone’s needs. ‘‘Overall, West Virginia is only down a couple hundred automobile sales over this time last year,’’ Lemmon said. ‘‘There is just a lot involved and personal taste will always dictate a sale. People need to look at what will work for them.’’ Lemmon believes an alternative fuel source will be found one day, people will learn to control costs and many people will have to change some of their driving habits. ‘‘The real issue is West Virginians are going to buy what they really want,’’ she said. ‘‘We are still seeing a fair number of sales with bigger models (SUV’s and trucks).’’ More and more people are taking the time to consider what they are buying, Lemmon said. ‘‘So far people have not come en masse trying to trade in their big SUVs,’’ she said. ‘‘That is not really happening. People are stepping back and asking if it is really a good financial decision for them to do.’’ Cars also provide a lot of entertainment today with all the features they offer, including DVD players, XM radio and more which people consider when deciding to make a purchase. ‘‘Cars have to have things,’’ Lemmon said. ‘‘Cars are expensive for a variety of reasons.’’ The automotive business regularly goes through cycles. ‘‘Some dealerships are doing really well, others are struggling,’’ Lemmon said. ‘‘I think that is just part of the business cycle. ‘‘The automobile industry is a very ‘peaks and valley’ industry. We are always going through one cycle or another. People are buying cars now. A time will come when they are going to be buying trucks.’’
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