Light trucks boosted August 2015 vehicle sales

Sales of new vehicles in Canada were higher in August 2015 than in the same month a year ago, as an increase in light truck sales more than offset a drop in the number of new cars bought by Canadians.

According to industry sales numbers compiled by Ontario-based 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 from 70,939 a year ago.

According to 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.