The wheels are turning at Jonesville’s new Victory Toyota, which is now open for business, offering pre-owned cars and service.

The business opened June 15 and plans to have a grand-opening the week of July 2.

Bob Heineman, GSM and Finance Director, said he feels now is a great time to be in the pre-owned car business and in servicing previously purchased cars.

“The used-car market has never been bigger,” said Heineman. “We picked Jonesville as our location because we have a lot of Victory Toyota and Hyundai customers up this way. Now that we’re open, they won’t have to travel all the way to Wilkesboro to have their car serviced.”

“As far as our pre-owned vehicles, we’re still heavier on the car side,” he said. “Fuel mileage seems to be on everyone’s mind. Demand isn’t waht it used to be for SUVs, but there will always be a market for four wheel drive around here.”

Jerry Willard, owner of Super Sports and Imports in Elkin, shared similar confidence in the used-car market.

“I do a lot of buying, and I think the demand for cars costing $10,000 and down is where the market is now,” he said. “$15,000 -$25,000 vehicles are struggling.”

Like Heineman, Willard also said he sees demand for small, gas-efficient cars as well as trucks and four wheel drive vehicles. “Trucks and 4 wheel drives are really strong now that gas has dropped,” he said. “The smaller cars are losing a little bit of their appeal, maybe because everyone has already bought them. There’s still a demand but I’d say it has fallen 25 percent in the last couple weeks. I think people want 5,000 sports utility. Miles is not quite as big a factor as it was.”

Willard, who has owned Super Sports and Imports for eight years, said he feels good about sales. “I think what we’re seeing versus last year is people are a little bit more comfortable. Desire to buy used-cars is up from last year.”