Canada’s Auto Sales Rose 6% to 10-Year High

Sales of light vehicles in Canada climbed to 1.68 million units in 2012 compared with 1.59 million units in 2011, according to Richmond Hill, Ont.-based DesRosiers Automotive Consultants Inc.

Last year's volume was the largest since 2002 and the second-highest on record. Analysts attribute the gain to favorable financing, the strong Canadian dollar, demand for luxury vehicles and a rebound for Japanese carmakers from a disaster-plagued 2011.

Passenger-vehicle sales in 2012 jumped 10% to 759,800 units. Truck demand rose 3% to 915,900 units.

In December light-vehicle sales fell 5% year over year to 108,900 units. Car volume increased 4% to 48,000 units. Truck demand dropped 11% to 60,900 units.

Full-year sales of American brands edged down less than 1% to 745,000 vehicles. Ford remained Canada's top-selling carmaker for the third straight year despite flat volume of 276,100 units.

Chrysler (+6% to 243,800 units) reported its highest sales in 12 years in 2012, surpassing General Motors (-7% to 226,800 units) to take second place. GM's Canadian market share shrank to a record-low 13.5%.

Demand for Asian and European makes climbed 11% to 930,700 vehicles last year. Japanese carmakers boosted volume 12% to 550,800 units, buoyed by Toyota (+18% to 192,100 vehicles) and Honda (+21% to 148,700 units). Hyundai and Kia reported sales increases of 5% to 136,300 vehicles and 20% to a record 77,800 units, respectively.