In 2020, there were 232,088 new cars and trucks registered in the Philadelphia metro area. This number is based on projections from the National Auto Dealers Associaton (NADA) and the U.S. Census bureau.
In all, says NADA, there are 863 new-car dealerships in Pennsylvania. Despite the pandemic, these dealers, including those in the Philadelphia area, sold $38 billion worth of new vehicles.
Through June of this year, these same dealers have already rung up $23.9 billion in new car sales.
When it comes to buying new vehicles, Philadelphia consumers have a broad range of preferences. Some buyers want Fords while others want Chevrolets, Toyotas, or Teslas. Some buyers want pick-up trucks, while others want sub-compacts, SUVs, or sports cars. Of course, some want blue vehicles, while others want pearl white, orchard green, or redolent red.
There is one purchase criterion, however, that most Philadelphia car buyers can agree on. They want an AM/FM radio smack-dab, in the middle of their dash.