California new car sales grow in U.S., drop in Japan

2/3/2012

While there are still many people using auto maintenance to keep their cars running longer, it seems as though more people are looking into buying a new vehicle.

California, the most populated state in America, is considered a big market for auto manufacturers. With a terrain ranging from mountains to beaches, the automotive industry sets its sights on creating models with various capabilities for the right driver.

The American auto industry has been a large purveyor for new cars in The Golden State, according to Automotive News. Following the earthquake and tsunami that hit Japan, the country's auto sector experienced a dip in sales, as production was halted at numerous plants. The news provider reports California Auto Outlook revealed the Japanese auto industry lost 4.5 share points to 44.5 percent of the California market.

Meanwhile, the Big Three (Ford, GM and Chrysler) gained 1.8 points of share in 2011, meeting with Korean brands such as Kia and Hyundai. As for the European market, there was a share increase of 0.9.

The California New Car Dealers Associated reports that the state sold 1,290,920 new cars last year, a 10 percent increase from 2010, according to the Sacramento Business Journal.