Brandon Twp. ? It’s been a couple months since the government-sponsored ‘Cash for Clunkers? program helped jam area car dealers? showrooms, however, the surge of business has continued for at least one area dealer
Joe Carrier, general manager of Randy Wise Ford, 989 S. Ortonville Road, had customers waiting to buy new cars in his showroom last summer during an auto-boom sparked by incentives that ranged from $3,500 to $4,500 for old clunkers that get 18 miles or less to the gallon and are less than 25-years-old.
‘The boom continued after the deal ended,? said Carrier. ‘I have a lot more cars on the lot right now’Ford stepped up production following the Cash for Clunkers program. Still, the demand is really there, we needed to have more workers here.?
To assist in the upswing, Carrier recently added two new salespeople: Don Nord, a Goodrich resident with more than 30 years in automobile sales, and Scott Rhoades, a Mt. Morris resident with about 10 years of experience. In addition, Tom Bush has stepped in as finance manager for Randy Wise Ford.
The clunkers program took aim at sagging auto sales, and to prompt consumers toward fuel-efficient vehicles.
‘Right now this is truck month. While we offer a host of great new cars, the Ford F-150 is still the best seller we have. Just last week a General Motors employee came in and bought a new truck from us,? laughed Carrier.
Wise Ford’s recent boom may be a reflection of a countrywide trend.
Erich Merkle, president of Grand Rapids-based Autoconomy, LLC, has been working in the auto industry as an economic analyst and automobile sales forecast expert for more than 10 years.
‘The Cash-for-Clunkers program pulled millions of used cars out of the system,? said Merkle. ‘At some point, all those used cars have to be replaced. Moreover, fewer used cars means higher prices and greater demand. That makes new cars that much more attractive. As our economy starts to heal, those that delayed buying a car will eventually do so.
‘If you can sell cars in the Detroit and Flint area, given the rough years following the fallout of the auto industry, things must be getting better.?