Big Three automakers report increases in vehicle sales for August

TORONTO - Canada's Big Three automakers have all reported increases in light vehicle retail sales for August.

Ford Canada said it sold 27,268 cars and trucks last month, while Chrysler put its light-vehicle sales at 21,932 for the month - both up seven percent.
Meanwhile, General Motors said Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac dealers delivered 21,091 vehicles in August, an increase of 0.1 percent compared to last August.

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Retail sales were up five percent overall, as the Chevrolet Cruze posted a 16 percent increase in sales for the month, Buick sales increased 18 percent thanks to the Verano and the Buick Encore, and Cadillac sales increased by 54 percent in August.

Chrysler said its sales figures mark the 45th consecutive month of growth year-over-year, as passenger car sales saw an increase of 20 percent, with sales of 36,761 in the calendar year-to-date.

The Ford Fiesta saw sales climb 84 percent year-over year, and Fusion had sales jump 57 percent in August, led the increase for Ford.

The company also reported healthy increases for a number of other models, including the Ford Focus, Mustang and Taurus, up 16, 13 and 40 percent respectively.

Several other auto makers reported their August sales figures Wednesday, with Honda logging combined sales of 16,208 vehicles by their Honda and Acura divisions in Canada, a 19 percent increase over last year's sales.

Subaru Canada also posted increases, marking six consecutive months of growth as it sold 3,339 units in August, a 24.6 percent increase over the same period last year.

Kia Canada Inc., meanwhile, said it sold 7,502 cars and trucks in August, a decline of 2.3 percent compared with the same month last year.