[simage=3235,400,y,center]
The American automotive industry is reporting strong sales this summer – something that could be viewed as a sign of increased consumer confidence and a recovering economy. Chuck Vander Waal, owner of Ulrich Ford, Lincoln, Mercury in Pella says his business has seen a steady increase in sales since mid-March, adding that Ford vehicles nationwide have increased their sales from last year.

Pella Motors owner Craig Ford adds that sales this summer have been even stronger than last year during “Cash for Clunkers”, saying that the current demand for new vehicles has been high, which has made it challenging to find inventory.

Aaron Axtell, General Manager of Motor Inn in Knoxville says while they are just getting started back up as a dealership after being approved as a General Motors dealership a few weeks ago, he is real happy with how sales have been going so far this year. Axtell says he thinks auto sales in general are better than they have been in recent years and months but they are not yet where they should be and he hopes the market will continue to improve. One thing that Axtell says has helped them is being able to again have vehicles available for quick delivery so that customers have access to the cars and trucks they want. Trucks seem to be very popular lately as Axtell says they have sold a lot of ½ and ¼ ton pickups and diesel trucks as well. He says the community has been rallying behind them and he thinks things will only get better as time moves on.