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New motor vehicle sales

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October 2009  (Previous release)

New motor vehicle sales increased 3.5% to 133,559 units in October after rising in September. Sales of new motor vehicles have generally been increasing since the beginning of 2009, following a sharp decline at the end of 2008. On a year-over-year basis, October's sales were 3.2% lower than October 2008.

New motor vehicle sales increase in October

Preliminary industry data indicate that the number of new motor vehicles sold decreased by 7% in November.

North American-built passenger car sales drive increase

Higher sales of North American-built passenger cars contributed to most of October's increase. The 7.6% gain in sales of North American-built passenger cars was the main reason for a 5.3% rise in the number of new passenger cars sold to 68,001 units. Sales of North American-built passenger cars have been rising since the spring of 2009, following a major downturn in 2008. The number of overseas-built passenger cars sold increased by 2.3%, more than offsetting the decline in September.

Sales of new trucks (which include minivans, sport-utility vehicles, light and heavy trucks, vans and buses) rose for a fourth consecutive month, up 1.6% to 65,558 units in October.

Ontario largest contributor to October's advance

The number of new motor vehicles sold increased in eight provinces in October. Ontario (+3.8%) was the largest contributor to the advance. Sales in Ontario have increased 7 out of 10 months in 2009.

The region composed of British Columbia and the territories increased 4.5% in October, following a similar gain in September.

Sales were down in Prince Edward Island (-7.3%) and New Brunswick (-2.7%). New Brunswick's decline follows strong increases in the previous three months.

Available on CANSIM: table 079-0003.

Definitions, data sources and methods: survey number 2402.

The October 2009 issue of New Motor Vehicle Sales (63-007-X, free) will be available soon.

Data on new motor vehicle sales for November will be released on January 15, 2010.

For general information or to order data, contact Client Services (toll-free 1-877-421-3067; 613-951-3549; retailinfo@statcan.gc.ca). To enquire about the concepts, methods or data quality of this release, contact Iman Mustapha (613-951-3040), Distributive Trades Division.

Table 1

New motor vehicle sales
  October 2008 September 2009r October 2009p October 2008 to October 2009 September to October 2009
  Seasonally adjusted
  number of vehicles % change
New motor vehicles 137,920 129,065 133,559 -3.2 3.5
Passenger cars 71,182 64,571 68,001 -4.5 5.3
North American1 44,911 36,558 39,339 -12.4 7.6
Overseas 26,271 28,013 28,662 9.1 2.3
Trucks, vans and buses 66,738 64,494 65,558 -1.8 1.6
New motor vehicles          
Newfoundland and Labrador 2,727 2,675 2,727 0.0 1.9
Prince Edward Island 429 492 456 6.3 -7.3
Nova Scotia 4,437 4,170 4,417 -0.5 5.9
New Brunswick 3,341 3,353 3,262 -2.4 -2.7
Quebec 34,793 33,519 34,626 -0.5 3.3
Ontario 49,453 47,369 49,182 -0.5 3.8
Manitoba 3,914 3,767 3,914 0.0 3.9
Saskatchewan 4,272 4,053 4,178 -2.2 3.1
Alberta 19,898 16,201 16,725 -15.9 3.2
British Columbia2 14,656 13,466 14,072 -4.0 4.5
  October 2008 September 2009r October 2009p October 2008 to October 2009  
  Unadjusted  
  number of vehicles % change  
New motor vehicles 126,064 132,595 123,608 -1.9  
Passenger cars 63,518 67,469 61,429 -3.3  
North American1 39,724 38,747 35,303 -11.1  
Overseas 23,794 28,722 26,126 9.8  
Trucks, vans and buses 62,546 65,126 62,179 -0.6  
New motor vehicles          
Newfoundland and Labrador 2,242 2,792 2,266 1.1  
Prince Edward Island 383 527 395 3.1  
Nova Scotia 3,612 4,100 3,585 -0.7  
New Brunswick 2,888 3,391 2,824 -2.2  
Quebec 32,053 35,453 31,869 -0.6  
Ontario 45,642 48,354 45,635 0.0  
Manitoba 3,764 4,139 3,849 2.3  
Saskatchewan 4,056 4,212 4,158 2.5  
Alberta 18,640 16,205 16,168 -13.3  
British Columbia2 12,784 13,422 12,859 0.6  
revised
preliminary
Manufactured or assembled in Canada, the United States or Mexico.
Includes Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.
Note(s):
Figures may not add up to totals due to rounding.