COLUMBUS, Ohio -

Huntington Bank is bullish about its vehicle financing opportunities this year after upbeat results from its yearly survey to gauge sales potential in the Midwest.

The company's second annual Midwest Economic Index indicated that 22 percent of consumers in the states of Ohio, Michigan, West Virginia, Indiana along with individuals in western Pennsylvania are considering buying or leasing a vehicle this year.

That level represented a 1-percentage point increase above last year as analysts forecast one of the best years in auto sales since before the recession.

"We're projecting an increase in auto sales in 2014 as consumers' needs align with a buyer's market," said Rich Porrello, director of Huntington's auto finance division. "And we're witnessing tremendous consumer enthusiasm at sponsored auto shows across the Midwest in response to the increasing sophistication among manufacturers that are pushing to define a whole new generation of cars and trucks on the road today."

Of respondents considering a vehicle, 55 percent report they will buy or lease a new vehicle — up from 52 percent last year.

Meanwhile, 30 percent of respondents — down from 32 percent last year — will choose a used model.

Ebiquity conducted the Midwest Economic Index survey over the last weeks of October as a random sample of consumers in western and eastern Michigan, northern, central and southern Ohio, Indianapolis, western Pennsylvania and West Virginia, with statistically relevant responses available for each region.

Huntington highlighted that new-vehicle sales, after hitting a low of 10.4 million units in 2009, have rebounded to four consecutive years of increases and the expected increase in 2014 would be the first time since the 1930s the industry would have five years of consecutive growth.

With the average age of all light vehicles on the road at a record-high of 11.3 years, according to data released by Polk, Huntington contends that consumers' needs are growing.

"This data, combined with consumer optimism about the U.S. economy, forecasts another strong year for the automotive industry," the bank said.

With the continued expansion of its indirect lending business, including entry into Connecticut and Iowa in 2013, Huntington's auto loan volume totaled $4.2 billion last year, as the bank financed more cars than during any other time in its history.

A record 205,000 vehicles were financed, enough to stretch end to end from the bank's Columbus, Ohio headquarters to Macon, Ga.

More information about Huntington Auto Finance is available at http://www.huntington.com/dealersales.