New and used auto dealers: employment, 1975-97, and number of dealers, 1975-96 (in thousands) Year Employment Dealers 1975 730.6 32.0 1976 769.9 31.7 1977 801.9 31.4 1978 839.9 31.1 1979 835.3 30.8 1980 745.2 29.9 1981 707.4 28.4 1982 694.3 27.0 1983 722.1 26.4 1984 794.3 26.4 1985 856.1 26.5 1986 895.7 26.6 1987 924.6 26.8 1988 958.1 27.3 1989 953.7 27.5 1990 924.3 27.0 1991 879.3 26.8 1992 875.4 26.1 1993 908.3 25.8 1994 962.5 25.8 1995 996.0 25.9 1996 1030.5 26.0 1997 1050.8 n/a