Used car sales declining

Despite the economic hardship, CNMI motorists still opt to buy brand new cars over used cars. In fact, the total number of sold used cars has been decreasing in the last three years.

Statistics from the Commonwealth Auto Dealers Association showed that in calendar year 2002, there were 476 used cars sold. The number went down to 399 in 2003, and further down to 380 in 2004. As of September this year, there were 241 used cars sold.

Grace Sablan, 28, said she chose to buy a brand new car over a used car “to treat myself” and to avoid too much maintenance hassles. Sablan bought her own sports utility vehicle, a Ford Escape, this year.

“I had a used car in college, and it didn’t even last long. It broke down. I don’t know much about cars so buying a used car is too much of a hassle. With a new car, you have that warranty for a year, and you know it’s your car. For me, it’s a treat,” she said.

Jerry Jaraplasan said he bought a brand new Mazda 3 this year “because [brand new] is more convenient.”

“There’s less trouble in terms of maintenance. It’s worth it,” he said.

Russel Tequito recently bought a Toyota Corolla. “If it’s new, it’s less problematic in maintenance,” he said.

CADA data showed that car sales for new cars as of end of September this year showed a slight increase of .25 percent compared with 2004.

As of September 2005, there were 1,221 brand new cars sold in the CNMI. During the same period in 2004, there were 1,218 sold vehicles.

In 2004, brand new cars sold totaled 1,612 while in 2003, the number was 1,266. In 2002, cars sold totaled 904 while in 2001, it was 1,004.

Meantime, the latest CADA report also showed that CNMI motorists’ top three choices are Toyota, Nissan, and Hyundai.

For the month of September, there were 52 Toyota vehicles sold, 19 Nissan, and 13 Hyundai. For the entire year, Toyota sold 496, Nissan sold 152, and Hyundai sold 109.

Other top choices are Ford, with 106 sold this year, Mazda with 100 sold, and General Motors/Chevrolet, 93.

By model, more motorists bought sedans (660) and sports utility vehicles (278).

Trucks sold totaled 190 while vans totaled 90.

In terms of dealership, Microl Corp. is leading with 589 vehicles sold, representing a 48-percent market share as of September.

Joeten Motors sold 342 or a 28-percent share, while Triple J Motors sold 290 or 23.75 percent.

For the month of September alone, Microl sold 61, Joeten sold 41, and Triple J sold 29.

Microl Corp. sells Toyota and Chevrolet while Joeten Motors sells Nissan, Ford, Honda, and Kia.

Triple J Motors sells Hyundai, Mitsubishi, Isuzu, Suzuki, Subaru, and Mazda.

In terms of used cars sales, Microl sold 125 this year as of Sept. 30 while Joeten sold 62. Triple J has sold 54 used cars.