North American-built passenger cars drive new vehicle sales increase in December

OTTAWA — New motor vehicle sales increased 2.6 per cent to 128,663 in December, largely on the strength of higher sales of North American-built passenger cars.
Statistics Canada reports monthly sales averaged around 124,000 units in 2009, down from 2008's monthly average of about 140,000. The agency says preliminary industry data indicate the January figures were relatively unchanged.

The number of new passenger cars sold in December increased 2.5 per cent to 64,568, while sales of North American-built passenger cars rose 5.1 per cent.

The number of overseas-built passenger cars sold fell one per cent.
Sales of new trucks (which include minivans, sport-utility vehicles, light and heavy trucks, vans and buses) increased 2.7 per cent to 64,095 in December, partially offsetting November's decrease.

The number of new motor vehicles sold increased in nine provinces in December after declining in every province in November.

The largest contribution to the increase came from Quebec (up 2.7 per cent).

The only decline in December was registered in the region composed of British Columbia and the territories (down 1.9 per cent), where sales increased in nine of 12 months in 2009.

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