After shoppers delayed car purchases in the spring due to the COVID-19 pandemic, local car dealers are experiencing a busier than usual summer. Two factors may be in play. According to a CarGurus survey, 72 percent of respondents who plan to travel this year intend to drive, rather than fly. Over half of shoppers are less likely to ride-share or take public transportation moving forward. Jesse Yahnke, sales manager from Jorns Chevrolet in Kewaunee, says people are leasing and financing more vehicles as the demand surges and interest rates remain low.
Yahnke notes that most dealerships are trying to manage the shortage of new vehicles brought about by the temporary shutdown of car manufacturers in the spring.