Vehicle sales continue to outpace 2014 with light trucks leading way
by The Canadian Press
More than 175,000 August auto sales tallied, up 2.2 per cent from last year
TORONTO—An increase in light truck sales more than offset a drop in the number of new cars bought by Canadians, pushing sales of new vehicles in August higher than in the same month a year ago.
According to industry sales numbers compiled by DesRosiers Automotive Consultants, new vehicle sales totalled 175,512 for the month, up 2.2 per cent from 171,703 a year ago.
Light truck sales totalled 110,890 for August, up 10 per cent from 100,764 in August 2014, while car sales slipped to 64,622, down 8.0 per cent form 70,939 a year ago.
Based on the DesRosiers results, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles edged out Ford for the top spot as its sales amounted to 26,928 vehicles for the month, up slightly from 26,825 a year ago. Ford Motor Company of Canada said it saw its sales for the month slip 5.0 per cent from a year ago to 26,581 compared with 27,988 in August 2014.
Meanwhile, General Motors of Canada reported a 12 per cent increase to 24,653 vehicles, up from 22,111 a year ago. Toyota Canada sold 18,292 vehicles in August, including its Scion and Lexus brands, down 1.1 per cent from a year ago.
