Northern Ohio dealers battled to match 2025 new vehicle sales with a deficit of about 3,000 units, the Greater Cleveland Automobile Dealers’ Association reported this month.

Franchised dealers in 21 counties were 5.26% off when comparing March 2025 year-to-date numbers (54,219) to March 2026 (51,365). However, when reviewing month to month new vehicle sales, March 2025 (19,697) and March 2026 (19,567) saw similar efforts.

“While March sales in Northern Ohio were off by less than a percent versus last March, the region continues to outperform national expectations, which were weaker than usual due to severe winter weather, fewer EV deliveries, and economic pressure outside the industry,” said Louis A. Vitantonio, association president.

“Increased showroom traffic resulting from the 2026 Cleveland Auto Show likely helped local dealers secure additional sales. We anticipate a steady market leading into the summer months.”

Keeping its spot at the top of the leaderboard, Chevrolet remains Northern Ohio’s best-selling brand, with a total of 2,696 new vehicles sold. Ford’s sales of 2,120 secures the brand a closer second place, while Honda holds onto third with 1,959 new vehicle sales. In fourth and fifth, Kia stays ahead of Toyota with 1,767 and 1,557 sales, respectively.

Rounding out the Top 10 for March were Subaru (1,109), Hyundai (1,096), Jeep (1,081), GMC (831) and Ram (793).

The Nissan nameplate with an approximately 30% improvement, selling 768 new vehicles last month compared to 625 in March 2025.During the same time frame, Tesla vehicle sales plummeted 32.31%.

New and used vehicles buyers in Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana counties accounted for 4,492 March purchases in the Mahoning Valley. For the first three months, sales surpassed 12,000.

Boardman Subaru netted 172 new car sales in March. Klaben Ford Lincoln of Warren recorded 105 sales to lead Trumbull dealerships.

Ken Ganley Kia of Boardman saw 117 used cars leave the lot last month. Greenwood Chevrolet of Austintown also surpassed the century mark with 111 sales.

Retail sales figures are based on vehicle registration reports from the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles. Vehicle sales data includes all dealers in these 21 counties: Ashland, Ashtabula, Carroll, Columbiana, Coshocton, Cuyahoga, Erie, Geauga, Holmes, Huron, Lake, Lorain, Mahoning, Medina, Portage, Richland, Stark, Summit, Trumbull, Tuscarawas and Wayne.

The Greater Cleveland Automobile Dealers’ Association represents more than 280 franchised motor vehicle dealers, which include new-car, truck, motorcycle and RV dealers in 32 Ohio counties along the Lake Erie shore and beyond. More information on the GCADA can be found at www.gcada.org.