The Tribune

By NATARIO McKENZIE

Tribune Business Reporter

nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

BAHAMIAN new car dealers are anticipating that this weekend’s annual new car show will help stimulate sales and buyer interest, with one dealer describing this year’s sales as being “fairly static” thus far.

Rick Lowe, director/operations manager at Nassau Motor Company (NMC), the Honda and Chevrolet dealer, said that with Bahamas Motor Dealers Association (BMDA) said that dealers were have not seen any significant growth in new car sales so far this year and the annual new car show typically helped “pick up some of the slack”. For us there have been no dramatic increases or dramatic decreases at this point. It could be certainly a lot better. There are only one or two guys that are doing really well but we need a little of the joy to spread around. We’re not seeing any significant growth in new car sales, everything is fairly static.”

Mr Lowe added: “The car show usually picks up a little bit of the slack and even if your sales don’t see an immediate bounce people get a great opportunity to compare different products. It’s sort of a one stop show for information, so from that point of view it’s a benefit for consumers as well.”

The BMDA’s annual new car show is held at the Mall at Marathon each spring. Regarding preparations for the car show Mr Lowe said: “As far as I know everything is shaping up from our perspective. Everyone is just trying to pull the pieces together. Generally the car show provides a positive boost as long as financing is available. This is a time of year most people look forward to. Most people put off waiting for the show because you get special discounts for the car show etc, banks are usually a little more aggressive, insurance companies are usually a little more aggressive.”