Canadian Automakers June 2005 Sales Mostly Higher

TORONTO, July 4, 2005; Reuters reported that Canadian automakers had mostly higher sales in June, with General Motors of Canada posting a whopping 19.1 percent gain.

GM, the country's biggest automaker, said its total monthly sales jumped to 43,307 vehicles compared with 36,368 in the same period in 2004.

The automaker credited the gains to strong sales by new small car models, including the Chevrolet Cobalt and Pontiac Pursuit, and the Chevrolet Equinox sport utility vehicle.

June sales at DaimlerChrysler Canada rose 12 percent to 27,170 vehicles, bolstered by a 28 percent jump in car sales from last June.

Ford Motor Co. of Canada said its total June sales dropped 5 percent to 24,778 cars and trucks.

During the first half of 2005, the Big Three automakers reported mixed sales. GM Canada said total vehicle sales rose 4.5 percent, DaimlerChrysler Canada reported a slim 0.3 percent gain, while sales at Ford Canada dropped 4.3 when compared to the first half of 2004.

Toyota Canada Inc. said its June sales rose 2 percent to 16,774. The company also said its sales are up 2.1 percent in the first half of 2005 compared to 2004.

The Japanese automaker, which said last week it would invest about C$800 million ($645 million) in a second Canadian assembly plant in Woodstock, Ontario, has been rapidly grabbing market share from its competitors.

Honda Canada Inc., which also manufactures in Ontario, reported a 4.8 percent drop in sales for June as the automaker moved 14,105 vehicles.