LAS CRUCES, N.M. -- A new study released by audit and management consultation specialist Grant Thornton LLC says car sales are expected to drop because of the failing economy.

That means more dealerships will soon be closing their doors.

According to the study, 3,800 dealerships nationwide are at risk of closure because of dwindling sales.

Las Cruces and El Paso have held on in the past, and could ride this uncertainty out once again.

Tight credit, high gas prices and a housing market slump are expected to leave the car sales market flat next year with hope of recovery in 2010.

But it was a good weekend for Las Cruces Toyota, which sold 11 cars Saturday.

“There’s been a couple people asking if money is tight or whether they are going to get a good rate. We don't have that problem yet and I don't think we're going to,” said Miles Moore, used car manager for Las Cruces Toyota.

History shows Las Cruces and El Paso might make it though the nation’s financial trouble without the need for merging or closing, even though there are plenty of car dealers.

“I remember black October back in 1987 -- everybody was in a panic but it had no effect on us whatsoever. It's like El Paso, there is Fort Bliss. Here you’ve got the university, White Sands and NASA,” said Moore.

Tamera Rasmussen said she's worried about the economy, but her family's vehicle needs are changing.

“The interest rates are going to go back up high again and virtually no one is going to be able to get a loan unless credit is perfect and you make a lot of money,” said Rasmussen, a West Las Cruces resident.

She has a plan to keep track of finances so she does not make credit score mistakes.

“We live on a budget. We have a spreadsheet. That's the only way to survive nowadays,” said Rasmussen.

And while carmakers GM, Ford and Chrysler cut labor costs and slow-selling models, Las Cruces Toyota expects sales to be OK.

“It doesn't appear we're going to have the problems everybody else is having right now,” said Moore.

Nationwide, auto prices are expected to come down within the next year with the weak market. Mergers are expected as prices increase.