There are about 6 million vehicles sold every year in the United States. Globally, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s projected than vehicle production will fall to 69.3 million units. Additionally, 2020 auto sales alone have decreased by more than 22% compared to 2019 global sales.

Rochester drivers, whether they are new drivers or have been buying and operating vehicles for decades, need to be aware of all these changes, as well. The pandemic is certainly affecting us all, but things like DUIs and auto damage continue to plague the vehicle community.

Here are a few important pieces of information about the Rochester auto industry:

DUI

A DUI conviction will likely be raised to a felony if it is the driver’s fourth DUI offense or if the driver has had a prior felony DUI offense within 10 years of the new charge.

Though the quarantine has resulted in the majority of people remaining in their homes, drunk driving still remains a serious problem across Rochester and the country. No matter what, you should never get behind the wheel after drinking any alcohol. Just because you’re not going to bars and restaurants doesn’t mean you are allowed to live dangerously. You need to be careful at all times — hopefully, other drivers are abiding by these rules, as well.

Auto Repairs

Since businesses and restaurants have been closed and large gatherings have been prohibited, there haven’t been too many people out on the roads. This has been great for major auto accidents but that doesn’t mean damage isn’t occurring. Just leaving your car in your driveway, unused, for months at a time is not good for your vehicle’s health. Make sure you’re driving it regularly and paying attention to every inch of your vehicle before you drive.

It’s extremely important to get in contact with skilled auto technicians in the event of any interior or exterior damage. If you neglect your vehicle’s care for too long, you could end up spending a fortune on repairing everything later on. If you can take care of an issue early on, though, you will be able to save plenty of money and mental energy.

Barring an impact, windshield cracks typically start out very small. If not taken care of, however, these cracks can grow into serious and potentially dangerous issues. If the crack is shorter than 12 inches, it can be repaired by professionals.

Auto Sales

“The pandemic remains a clear and present danger to the autos sector, with months of uncertainty expected to cloud hopes for global recovery prospects,” said Colin Couchman, executive director of global auto demand forecasting at IHS Markit. “The expected cycle of decline, stabilization, and recovery for autos varies by market, reflecting variations in containment strategies and policy responsiveness.”

However, there are plenty of Rochester auto dealers that have opened their doors recently:

  • Caliber Collision
  • Dorschel Lexus
  • Bob Johnson Buick GMC
  • Eksten Autoworks
  • Acura of Rochester
  • Ford of Rochester
  • Garber Automotive
  • Henderson Ford
  • Jim Barnard Chevrolet
  • Audi Rochester
  • Macedon Auto Center
  • Marketplace Mazda
  • Merv’s Auto Repair
  • O’Connor Chevrolet
  • Ralph Honda
  • Tuf Trucks
  • BMW of Rochester
  • Genesee Valley Ford
  • Dorschel Toyota
  • Upstate Auto Credit
  • Van Bortel Ford
  • Alfa Romeo of Rochester
  • Vesa’s Automotive
  • Dorschel Infiniti
  • Volvo Cars Rochester
  • Websmart Chevrolet

No one really knows what will happen in the future because of COVID. Hopefully, things will start returning to normal in the next few weeks, but it could be much, much longer until any kind of normalcy returns. Whatever the case, make sure you’re driving carefully, doing research before you buy, and never get behind the wheel after drinking. Stay safe!