Experts said some of the reason for the change was there weren't enough cars coming out of Japan after the disasters last year.

But Servco Toyota said now it is not only back up to pre-tragedy levels of inventory, it will be coming out with even more hybrid vehicles this year. And it isn't alone in boosting selection.

"We'll have a hybrid Fusion, a gas and an electric. Plus there will be new designs on the Mustang and other cars. There is just so much coming down the pike," said Wray.

New car registrations were up in December -- over 10 percent from the year before. And some dealers saw those higher sales continue in the new year.

"A lot of car shoppers are interested, there is pent up demand. I think we'll see the industry get out of first gear and into second," said Dave Rolf, with the Hawaii Automobile Dealers Association.

Last years sales numbers edged up over four percent and the industry is expecting a seven percent bump up in business for 2012.