Hawaii automobile sales are forecast to fall for the fourth consecutive year this year, but should show modest improvement in 2010, according to a report from the Hawaii Automobile Dealers Association.

The trade group is forecasting dealers statewide will sell 34,093 cars and light trucks this year, 20.4 percent fewer than in 2008. However, as the economy begins to regain its footing next year, vehicle sales are expected to rise by about 13 percent to 38,500 units, according to the forecast.
Through the first nine months of this year, Hawaii vehicle sales were down 26.4 percent, nearly the same as the 26.1 percent decline nationally.