Auto Sales in Canada Rise 4%

Carmakers sold 125,700 cars and light trucks in Canada last month compared with 121,100 vehicles in October 2011, according to DesRosiers Automotive Consultants Inc.

Last month marked the second-highest November sales on record. But it also represented this year's lowest monthly volume since February.

November's Canadian sales were fueled by demand for passenger cars, which grew 8% year over year to 55,000 units. Truck volume edged up 1% to 70,800 units.

Demand for U.S. brands rose 3% to 53,700 vehicles last month. Sales advanced 7% to 19,400 units at Ford and 5% to 16,900 units at Chrysler. General Motors volume fell 3% to 17,400 vehicles.

Foreign brands posted a 5% gain to 72,000 units, led by South Korean and European marques. Sales climbed at Hyundai (+20% to 10,100 units), Kia (+18% to 5,700 units), Volkswagen (+16% to 4,700 units) and Audi (+26% to 1,600 units).

November volume dropped for Japan's biggest marques, including Toyota (-1% to 13,200 vehicles), Honda (-2% to 10,900 units) and Nissan (-8% to 5,400 units).

In the January-November period, Canadian demand for all brands increased 7% year over year to 1.57 million vehicles. DesRosiers predicts full-year volume of 1.70 million units, which would be the second-highest annual sales after a record 1.73 million vehicles in 2002.