New car sales hit a nationwide 26-year low in January, but at least one aspect of the automotive industry is doing well: the auto repair business.

“That’s never slowed down,” said Dale Willey, owner of Dale Willey Automotive, 2840 Iowa. “I think people recognize the importance of maintaining their vehicle if they are not going to trade right away.”

Owners of two Lawrence repair shops agreed.

“The economy hasn’t affected us much,” said Danny Fox, owner of Lawrence Automotive Diagnostics, 2858 Four Wheel Drive. “People are holding on to their cars so they have to keep them fixed up.”

Rick Bellinger, owner of Dale and Ron’s Auto Service, 630 Conn., said he thinks more people are interested in preventive maintenance now than they were a year ago.

“I’ve had quite a few customers say they … are going to put some money in their old cars,” Bellinger said.

Despite low car sales, Willey sees reason for optimism.

“Our preowned (car) sales are very, very good,” he said. “We’re starting to see a little uptick in new vehicle sales.”

A federal loan program approved by Congress late last year for the American auto manufacturing industry may be helping to rebuild consumer confidence, Willey said.