Rise in Canadian auto sales surprises analyst

November 03, 2008
KRISTINE OWRAM
THE CANADIAN PRESS

Canadian sales of cars and light trucks continued to creep ahead last month, creating a stark contrast to the slip-sliding away experienced south of the border, according to industry figures released Monday. Overall vehicle sales in Canada rose to 122,711 vehicles in October – up 1.5 per cent over the same month of 2007, according to monthly figures compiled by DesRosiers Automotive Consultants. The biggest gains among the Top 5 auto companies in Canada were at Toyota Canada , where combined sales of its Toyota- and Lexus-branded cars and trucks were ahead 9.4 per cent to 15,843 units from 14,484 in October 2007. Toyota 's share of the Canadian market so far this year is No. 2 at 14 per cent – just ahead of Chrysler at 13.5 per cent and Ford at 12.5 per cent. Honda Canada rounded out the Top 5 with 10.6 per cent of Canadian sales in the first 10 months of 2008.