Photo by Shelley Hanson - Vinny Costain, general manager of Jim Robinson Toyota, stands beside a new Toyota Rav 4 SUV at the dealership’s showroom at The Highlands. Costain says more than half of his customers choose hybrids over gas vehicles.
TRIADELPHIA – With gas prices just under the $4 per gallon mark locally, some people may be looking for ways to save money – including trading in their less fuel efficient vehicles.
Vinny Costain, general manager of Jim Robinson Toyota at The Highlands, said that he had not noticed a rush of people wanting to trade in their SUVS or pickup trucks for smaller, more efficient cars.
“We definitely have in the past – in 2008 when gas prices soared,” Costain added.
This time around, however, car inventory levels are low in comparison. The demand for vehicles is much higher than the supply of vehicles available, he said.
“I have 12 cars that are going to be delivered tomorrow and 11 of them are already sold,” he said. “It’s not a chip issue, it’s a supply and demand issue.”
Costain said Toyota’s plants are going full-tilt producing vehicles, but the demand still is high because, during the pandemic, people put off purchasing new vehicles. Now that the pandemic is winding down, everyone is looking to buy.
“It’s a little harder. We’re always willing to buy vehicles. They can sell even if they are not looking to trade in. We’re always looking to acquire vehicles,” he said.
Costain said more than half of his customers choose hybrid over gas vehicles. Toyota has been selling hybrids since 1999.
“The completely redesigned Toyota Sienna, a minivan, is all hybrid. It’s not available in a gas model anymore,” he said.
Costain said his dealership is doing more pre-selling than it ever has before.
“I’ve been in the business for 25 years. … The last two have been completely different,” he noted.
Photo by Shelley Hanson – Michael Staskey, salesman at Straub Honda Hyundai, poses with a new Honda Civic at The Highlands location. He says they get about 40 miles per gallon.
Kevin Cook – general manager of Straub Nissan and Honda, Hyundai at The Highlands; Straub Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram in Elm Grove and Glen Dale; and Straub Ford in Moundsville – said he has not yet noticed people trading in their bigger vehicles because of high gas prices.
“There has been increased interest in hybrid vehicles. There has been a slight increase in interest in smaller vehicles like the Hyundai Elantra and Ford Ecosport,” he said.
“People are not necessarily trading in bigger trucks and SUVs,” he said. “People are also driving less, especially the last two years. They are shopping from home now and more people are working from home.”
Cook noted that all vehicles still are currently in high demand.
“We have a fairly decent selection right now. Our inventory is down compared to the stocking levels of 2019 and 2020,” he said.
Cook said most people start their shopping experience online without having to visit a car lot.
“We have the capacity of completing the entire process online and doing home deliveries if that’s what a person chooses,” he said.
Cook offered some tips for people weathering the high gas prices. He said a well maintained vehicle will always perform better and get better gas mileage.
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