Canada’s Light Vehicle Sales Rise 3%

Sales of cars and light trucks in Canada totaled 157,800 units last month compared with 153,500 units in March 2011, according to Richmond Hill, Ont.-based DesRosiers Automotive Consultants Inc.

Rising gasoline prices made fuel-efficient vehicles the top sellers. A 7% jump in car sales to 73,600 units more than offset a decline of less than 1% for trucks to 84,100 units.

Sales slid 3% to 24,700 vehicles at Ford and 7% to 22,700 units at General Motors to. Chrysler, which was Canada's top-seller in January and February, returned to its customary third place in March despite an 8% increase to 22,500 units.

Sales fell 1% to 16,100 vehicles at Toyota and 7% to 12,800 units at Honda. Hyundai boosted volume 8% to 12,600 vehicles, and Nissan advanced 10% to 9,400 units.

In the first three months of 2012, Canada's auto sales rose 8% to 362,000 units. Car and truck demand climbed 15% to 161,100 units and 4% to 200,900 units, respectively.

First-quarter sales improved 2% to 160,400 units for American brands and 14% to 201,500 units for foreign brands. Chrysler was Canada's top-selling carmaker for the quarter with a 12% jump to 55,400 vehicles.