New car sales in San Diego — as well as California — are stuck in neutral this year, as high sticker prices and burdensome financing costs keep a sizable number of potential customers away.

Registrations in the state for new vehicles through the first nine months of 2024 were down 1.7% compared to the first three quarters of last year, according to data from the California New Car Dealers Association, while national sales figures were up 2.7%.

San Diego County figures were slightly better than statewide numbers, but only slightly — down 0.7% through the first three quarters.

“Looking at our economist’s analysis of a market, it feels like we’ve reached a new sales plateau,” said Brian Maas, president of the car dealers association.

According to Edmunds.com, the average price of a new vehicle in the U.S. as of September climbed to $47,431 and the average price of an all-electric vehicle came to $59,723. Even used cars are not very cheap, with the Edmunds average coming to $27,422.

“You literally cannot buy any vehicle today for the same price that you bought it five or six years ago,” said Ivan Drury, senior manager of auto insights at Edmunds. “And financing is a huge problem now.”

While the Federal Reserve lowered interest rates in September as inflation has cooled, Edmunds data show that as of last month, the average interest rate to finance a new car in the U.S. came to 7.3% and the average monthly payment was $742.

“It’s like consumers are getting hit left and right,” Drury said. According to Edmunds’ analysis, in the third quarter of this year, the average vehicle in the U.S. is on the lot 57 days before it gets purchased, compared to 37 days during the same time last year.

The California New Car Dealers Association anticipates the number of registrations in 2024 will come to about 1.75 million, which is slightly lower than the 1.77 million recorded last year. That’s a far cry from state sales figures that hovered around 2 million registrations per year prior to the pandemic.

The industry hopes that pent-up demand will eventually entice consumers back into a buying mode, especially if interest rates continue to decline.

The third quarter numbers reflected mixed messages for California’s hoped-for transition from gasoline-powered cars and trucks to electric vehicles.

On the positive side, all-electric battery and plug-in hybrid vehicles combined to make up 25.6 percent of the market in new vehicle sales and leases through the first nine months of this year — by far the highest numbers for any state.

But the rate of adoption of battery-electric vehicles, or EVs, has increased just seven-tenths of a percentage point through the third quarter of this year compared to 2023 and the market share of plug-in hybrids was flat — 3.4 percent in 2023 and 3.4 percent through Q3.

Four years ago, Gov. Gavin Newsom issued an executive order mandating the elimination of sales of all new gasoline-powered passenger vehicles in California by 2035. And in fewer than two years, the first of a series of state-imposed targets will start rolling out.

Under standards passed by the Air Resources Board, at least 35 percent of model year 2026 passenger cars and trucks sold in the state must be electric vehicles, plug-in hybrids or hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. The numbers ramp up each year, going to 68% in 2030 and 100% by 2035.

“As the mandates kick in, are there going to be enough customers to support the requirements that the mandate requires?” Maas said. “Sales continue to go up, but they’re not going up by leaps and bounds.”

Under definitions set by state policymakers, battery-electric, plug-in hybrids and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles qualify toward meeting California’s zero-emission target.

Hybrid vehicles that do not have plug-ins have been posting robust sales figures — not only in the Golden State but across the country — but they do not count under the state’s mandate because they use gasoline.

The third-quarter numbers showed the top-selling car across the state is still the all-electric Tesla Model Y. It racked up more than twice the number of registrations than California’s No. 2-selling car, the Toyota RAV4. The Tesla Model 3 finished sixth.

But statewide registrations for all Tesla models are down 12.6% compared to last year.

Analysts have offered a number of possible reasons why — including the potential sales effect of Tesla founder Elon Musk weighing in political issues after buying X (formerly Twitter) and actively campaigning for Donald Trump for president.

But Drury thinks a primary reason is simply because the number of EVs available is expanding, as other carmakers roll out their own models.

“There’s more competition,” he said. “The Model Y is kind of like the default purchase versus the Model 3 when you’re looking at the Tesla lineup, so it’s kind of a cannibalization of sales there.”

Behind the Model Y and Model 3, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 was No. 3 among top-selling zero-emissions vehicles in California through the third quarter with 11,711 registrations. The Ford Mustang Mach-E finished fourth, with 8,013.

Top-selling models in California

(for 2024, through September)

1. Tesla Model Y     105,693
2. Toyota RAV4        49,810
3. Honda Civic          40,741
4. Toyota Camry       40,025
5. Honda CR-V          37,759
6. Tesla Model 3        37,219
7. Toyota Corolla       29,341
8. Chevy Silverado    28,029
9. Ford F-Series         26,753
10. Honda Accord        25,240

Sources: California New Car Dealers Association and Experian Automotive

By Mark Zeigler

San Diego State unveiled a Sweet 16 banner Wednesday night at Viejas Arena against a school playing its first game as a full-fledged Division I member.

The Aztecs have some work to do to hang another one.

A year after trailing by 14 inside seven minutes to go and winning on a put-back at the buzzer, SDSU tempted fate and offered UC San Diego an $80,000 payday to play at Viejas Arena. And nearly got burned.

The Tritons led again with seven minutes to go, although this time by only five points, and the Aztecs needed another furious rally after a disjointed opening 33 minutes to win 63-58 before a soldout (and nervous) crowd in Viejas Arena.

“Scheduling is always hard,” coach Brian Dutcher said. “You always think, well, we’re not going to do this again. Then the dates line up, and it’s a good game for both teams, and you do it. They’ve given us great games the last two years. They’ve had a chance to win both, and we found a way to make enough timely plays to get victories.”

Said Tritons guard Tyler McGhie, who had 21 points: “We worked all summer and all fall for this. I think we can compete with anyone. At the end of the day, they put their shorts on just like we do.”

It was the season opener for both teams and preserved several prodigious SDSU streaks: 39 straight wins against the current membership of the Big West, 18 straight in openers against unranked opposition, 15 straight in home openers and 15-0 all-time against the Tritons.

But make no mistake: It was a grind.

The Aztecs managed just 24 points in the first half, flummoxed by a Tritons’ matchup zone. They didn’t dominate the offensive boards like you’d expect against a team that played no one taller than 6-foot-8. They stepped out of bounds with the ball (twice). Coach Brian Dutcher was forced to abandon plans to play two bigs and went with four guards down the stretch.

It took a 12-0 run late to energize the increasingly anxious faithful in Viejas.

“We see it as a league game, honestly,” redshirt sophomore Miles Byrd said. “We came in today and on the whiteboard in the locker room it says, ‘Winning is hard.’ We know that. I was on the bench. I saw the energy UCSD brought last year in their arena. You know they were going to come into this game confident. We prepped hard. We respected them.”

Making his first career start, the 6-7 Byrd had a monster night of stat stuffing: 20 points, eight rebounds, three assists, five steals, four blocks. According to SDSU media relations, that’s only the second time over the last 10 seasons that a Div. I player has had at least 20 points, eight rebounds, five steals and four blocks in a game.

Florida Atlantic transfer Nick Boyd had four turnovers running the point but made the play of the game at the other end, drawing a charge on UCSD’s Chris Howell with 49.9 seconds left in a four-point game.

It capped a dominating defensive stand. UCSD led 50-45, then missed seven of its next nine shots with four turnovers. McGhie was 5 of 5 in the second half … but didn’t score (or take a shot) over the final 9:59.

“It was tough,” McGhie said. “I don’t know, I was trying to get open. … They were throwing different guys on me, so I got worn down a little bit.”

“The momentum in the second half, I feel like it came from our defense,” said Jared Coleman-Jones, SDSU’s lone big on the floor over the closing minutes. “We had to really turn up our defensive intensity. We just had to change the way we played.”

Boyd and BJ Davis each had 11 points, and Coleman-Jones added nine points and nine rebounds as the Aztecs hit the same scoring total as last year against the Tritons.

The Tritons shot 32.8 percent, and that was after being 50 percent overall and 6 of 9 behind the arc in the second half. That tells you how much they struggled in the first half, when they had six shots blocked and shot 18.2 percent.

Even so, they trailed only 24-22 because the Aztecs couldn’t put the ball in the basket, either. A 21-10 lead became a 22-21 deficit with turnovers on their next three possessions, followed by four straight misses, followed by another turnover.

With nine minutes left, the Tritons’ lead was six.

“Well, I liked that a lot better than being down the 14 points with (seven) minutes to go like we were last year,” Dutcher said. “We didn’t have to come from so far behind. It’s a young team, maybe not age-wise but playing together.”

The scariest part: Their next four Div. I games are against No. 6 Gonzaga, which just beat No. 8 Baylor by 38; No. 15 Creighton, which scored 99 in its opener Wednesday; Oregon, which received votes in the Associated Press preseason poll; and another power conference school in the Players Era Festival in Las Vegas.

“With what’s around the corner, we wanted to desperately win this game,” Dutcher said. “We’re grateful to get a win. You know what’s ahead.”

              Notable

Next up: Div. III Occidental at home on Nov. 12. The game, like Wednesday night’s, will be aired on YurView (Channel 4 on Cox and Spectrum) as well as streamed on the Mountain West Network … Freshman Thokbor Majak did not suit up, a strong indication that he’ll redshirt this season. “I don’t have a problem with it,” he said recently. … The officiating crew: Michael Irving, Randy Richardson and Tommy Nunez.

Aniwanina Tait-Jones, the Big West newcomer of the year last season, finished with 13 points before fouling out. Howell, a Torrey Pines High alum and Saint Mary’s transfer, had nine points in his UCSD debut … Redshirt freshman Magoon Gwath had three early blocks but left in the second half with leg cramps and didn’t return. He finished with one point and one rebound in 23 minutes … The SDSU lineup down the stretch: Boyd, Byrd, Davis, Wayne McKinney and Coleman-Jones. The rotation went 10 deep, although Brown transfer Kimo Ferrari got only two minutes.

Originally Published: November 6, 2024 at 9:12 PM PST

Hello there,

It’s the day after Election Day. San Diego County elections officials have tallied about a million votes and have more than a half-million more to count.We’ve got a breakdown for you below on how results are shaping up as of Wednesday morning.

First, take a minute to check out some of our Election Day coverage. Our editorial cartoonist Steve Breen visited several vote centers Tuesday to talk to residents about their top issues and how they’re voting.

He also drew them. Take a look on Instagram.

inewsource reporters also visited vote centers during the day and attended election parties Tuesday night where local candidates and their supporters celebrated early victories and confronted losses.

🗳️ Getting to this post later? Go to inewsource.org to see the latest city, county, state and federal results at our Election Source.

State and national early results

U.S. president

Early results: Donald Trump declared victory in the race for the White House, overcoming current vice president Kamala Harris after a heated, tense and too-close-to-call campaign that capped off when Trump was projected to secure the last electoral votes he needed to win with Pennsylvania. Harris delivered a concession speech at her alma mater, Howard University, this afternoon. 

What we covered: The outcome of the presidential election is expected to have a big impact on thousands of asylum seekers who have been waiting months to enter the U.S. through the Biden administration’s current appointment program. 

State Assembly, 75th District 

Early results: Republican Carl DeMaio appears poised to easily defeat fellow Republican Andrew Hayes, winning 60% of the vote so far. 

What we covered: DeMaio’s campaign leaned into voter anxiety on the border and suggested with little evidence that noncitizens could impact the outcome of the election. 

City of San Diego races show mostly Democrats leading 

San Diego mayor 

Early results: Democratic incumbent Mayor Todd Gloria celebrated a strong lead over his opponent Larry Turner, winning 54.6% of the vote in early returns. 

What we covered: Homelessness was a top issue for San Diego voters. Key areas of concern were how to deal with unhoused residents and provide shelter beds.

San Diego city attorney

Early results: Deputy City Attorney Heather Febert held a strong lead over opponent Brian Maienschein with 56.3% of the vote. 

What we covered: If he won, Maienschein would have pulled down his annual pension allotment from his time as a councilman, plus the almost $240,000 annual salary as the city’s top lawyer. 

San Diego City Council, District 3 

Early results: Democratic incumbent Stephen Whitburn is poised to easily hold onto his seat with 59.8% of the vote against his challenger Colleen Cusack. 

From our partners: Early results show San Diego County Supervisor Joel Anderson winning reelection

San Diego City Council, District 9 

Early results: Democratic incumbent Sean Elo-Rivera held a strong lead over opponent Terry Hoskins with 58% of the vote in early returns.  

From our partners: Sean Elo-Rivera takes lead Over Terry Hoskins in San Diego District 9 race

County supes poised for reelection

County supervisor, District 1

Early results: Incumbent Nora Vargas held a commanding lead over challenger Alejandro Galicia with 61.6% of the vote.

From our partners: Nora Vargas poised to win second term as San Diego County Supervisor

County supervisor, District 2 

Early results: Republican incumbent Joel Anderson picked up 61.4% of the early vote against his opponent, Democrat Gina Jacobs. 

From our partners: Early results show San Diego County Supervisor Joel Anderson winning reelection

County supervisor, District 3

Early results: Early returns showed Democratic incumbent Terra Lawson-Remer leading over Republican challenger Kevin Faulconer 56%-44%.

What we covered: A political action committee was set to spend over $800,000 to help elect Faulconer, with its top donors also being developers who need to secure approval from the county to move their projects forward.

Chula Vista schools race

Early results: It’s still a tight race for the Chula Vista Elementary School District’s Seat 4, with Francisco Tamayo leading over incumbent Kate Bishop and three other candidates. For Seat 2, incumbent Lucy Ugarte held a wide lead over Sharmane Estolano.

What we covered: Tamayo’s decision to run against Bishop could result in a special election with taxpayers footing the bill or a board appointment. And this year could bring multiple vacancies — school board member Cesar Fernandez was leading in early returns in his bid to join the City Council.

Opposition to local and state measures slightly leading

Prop 33

Early results: Voters resoundingly rejected Prop 33 with 3 in 5 voting no. 

What we covered: Prop 33 would have given local governments more control over local rent control laws.

Measures E & G 

Early results: Two local sales tax increases, pitched as ways to fund infrastructure projects, are ones to watch as more votes are tallied. Opponents of the city of San Diego’s Measure E, a one-cent citywide sales tax, are leading supporters by less than 2 percentage points. And opponents of Measure G, a half-cent countywide sales tax, are leading by about a 3 percentage-point margin. 

What we covered: Some of Measure G’s top financial supporters were companies that have received massive contract increases in recent years from the agency which would have received most of the measure’s funding.