For someone driving along Highway 101 in Ventura County, it might look like the auto industry is still running on fumes. It’s easy to misinterpret the big, empty lots on either side of the freeway as a sign of dwindling business, but a few dealers beg to differ.

Kevin Todey owns and operates three dealerships: a Chevrolet dealer on Oxnard Boulevard, a Lincoln-Mercury-Mazda dealer in Oxnard’s auto center on Ventura Boulevard and a Hyundai-Mitsubishi dealer in the Ventura Auto Center.

All three of the locations have been low on new inventory in recent months, but Todey employees think that’s better than having an overflowing lot.

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