Maryland’s auto dealers enjoyed a solid rebound last year, with the number of new-vehicle sales rising 7.3 percent from 2010, according to recently released data from the state’s Motor Vehicle Administration.

That added up to $8.3 billion, up 12 percent from 2010.

The number of used vehicles sold essentially was flat, but the total value rose 5.5 percent to $5.3 billion.

The rosier numbers indicate a recovering economy and easier access to financing, said Peter Kitzmiller, president of the Maryland Automobile Dealers Association.

“It’s getting better,” Kitzmiller said. “We still have a ways to go to get back to the levels of 2005 and 2006, though.”

Almost 300,000 new vehicles were sold in the state last year, about 100,000 fewer than in 2005 and 2006, before the Great Recession of 2007-09. The 626,000 used cars sold last year were about 70,000 below the 2005-06 levels.

Sheehy Auto Stores, with locations in Gaithersburg, Annapolis, Waldorf, Glen Burnie and other Maryland cities, saw about a 12 percent gain in sales last year, said Vince Sheehy, president.

“It was a pretty solid year for us,” Sheehy said. “We struggled some with inventory in the import franchises that lost production due to the [Japanese] tsunami. But other than that, sales were strong. ... There is a lot of pent-up demand.”

January continued to see a sales increase of about 5 percent, he said.

“We benefited from a little better weather than it was a year ago,” Sheehy said.

Shockley Honda in Frederick experienced a bigger increase in the used market than new, said Marisa Shockley, vice president of the dealership.

“We’re seeing a strong used-car market,” Shockley said. “The new car market has been slow and steady.”

The higher prices for used vehicles is driven by supply, Kitzmiller said.

“Low-mileage used cars are getting more difficult to find,” he said. “People are holding onto their cars longer, and there is not as much turnover in their fleets.”

Nationally, sales of new vehicles also rose, but not as much as in Maryland. Sales were up 10.3 percent to 12.8 million last year, according to industry research company Autodata. Light trucks outsold passenger cars. Mitsubishi saw the largest percentage increase at 41 percent, while most other manufacturers also had increases of at least 10 percent.

Toyota and Honda, hit by inventory problems after last year’s earthquake and tsunami in Japan, were among the few companies that saw declines.

Nationally, the top-selling vehicles last year were the Ford F-Series and Chevy Silverado trucks, along with the Toyota Camry, Nissan Altima and Ford Escape, according to Cars.com.

While trucks are a strong seller in Maryland, more cars also are being sold, Sheehy said. The Gaithersburg store is seeing good sales among its cars such as the Ford Fiesta and Taurus, he said.

Auto show season

This is the season for auto shows, with one in Washington, D.C., ending this weekend and the Motor Trend International Auto Show-Baltimore set for Thursday through Feb. 12 at the Baltimore Convention Center.

This year’s show in Baltimore should attract a larger crowd than last year’s, said Kitzmiller, whose organization helps organize that event.

New vehicles on the market are infusing more voice-activated technology and new “infotainment” systems, he said.

“That’s in response to concerns over distracted drivers,” Kitzmiller said.

Manufacturers are increasingly responding to the demand for more efficient vehicles, he said.

“The V-8s are going by the wayside, even in trucks,” Kitzmiller said. “There is a move towards diesel. ... Hybrids are part of the mix.”

The Baltimore show will include pre-production models such as the 2013 Ford Taurus and 2013 Chevrolet Malibu, electric vehicles, test drives and celebrity appearances.

kshay@gazette.net

Maryland Vehicle sales in 2011

New vehicle sales and value, 287,669, $8.3 billion.

Respective increases from 2010: 7.3 percent, 11.7 percent.

Used vehicle sales and value: 625,728, $5.3 billion.

Respective changes from 2010: -0.1 percent, +5.5 percent.

Average purchase price, new: $28,963.

Average purchase price, used: $8,526.

Source: Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration