Increase in truck sales more than offset lower car sales in August

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, FCA 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.

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.