New car registrations rebounding

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New car registrations rebounding

Danielle Kaeding, Wisconsin Public Radio

New vehicle registrations were up last month from the same time a year ago. Auto reps say consumer confidence is boosting dealers’ sales.

The Wisconsin DMV registered 18,660 vehicles last month--nearly 5,300 more than were registered in May 2009.

Don Brenengen – who owns five car dealerships in Sparta, West Salem and Tomah -- says they’ve seen a steady pick-up in sales of both new and used vehicles from a lot of pent-up demand. He says people who might have purchased normally, have not purchased for 18 to 24 months.

“They just put off those purchase decisions until saw more stability in their employment and the economic news itself,” he says.

Bill Sepic agrees. He’s president of the Wisconsin Auto and Truck Dealers Association, which represents 800 franchised and used dealers statewide. He says credit markets are still a bit tight for financing, but he says the outlook is very favorable for dealers this year and next.

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