As U.S. car sales pick up, trade-ins are older

The economy remains wobbly, unemployment is still high and yet people are buying new cars at a pace that would suggest a sweeping wave of prosperity.

Even auto industry analysts concede that it’s counterintuitive … until you take a closer look at what’s being traded in for new wheels.

[snip]

David Rodgers, senior vice president and general manager of the Sullivan Automotive Group, which oversees John L. Sullivan Chevrolet and Roseville Toyota in [...]