
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, July 29, 1994                   TAG: 9407290063
SECTION: BUSINESS                    PAGE: A9   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

WHAT WESTERN VIRGINIA DEALERS SAY| ABOUT AUTOMAKERS' EARNINGS

George Harvey, Sr., owner of Harvey's, a Chevrolet dealership, Radford: ``I think it's a combination of things. I think the economy is better now than a couple years ago. Also, a number of people who were buying imports are trading them in for domestic [cars] because they've improved the quality so much.''

Richard Duffner, owner of Thompson Chrysler Plymouth, Radford: ``Consumers' confidence is up. Also, a lot of people have driven cars and they're worn out and need to replace them.''

Doug West, general manager of Vinton Motor Co., a Ford dealer: ``The reason why we're having such success is because of our product line. I credit it to the fact that we have a quality car.''

- MELISSA CURTIS

by CNB