Car Sales Slide 3% in Canada

Automakers sold 103,200 light vehicles in Canada last month compared with 106,700 units in February 2012, according to DesRosiers Automotive Consultants Inc.

Canada's passenger-vehicle sales fell 4% to 44,400 units in February, the Richmond Hill, Ont.-based consulting firm says. Light truck demand shrank 3% to 58,900 vehicles.

Sales by U.S. automakers in the country rose 2% to 47,000 vehicles last month, led by Ford (+5% to 16,300 units). Chrysler Group boosted volume 2% to 16,800 vehicles to remain Canada's top-selling carmaker. Demand for General Motors dipped 2% to 14,000 units.

February volume for import brands in Canada dropped 7% to 56,200 units. The major Japanese makes led the declines, including Toyota (-14% to 10,000 vehicles), Honda (-13% to 6,900 units) and Nissan (-15% to 4,900 units). Sales also slumped at South Korea's Hyundai (-6% to 8,800 vehicles) and Kia (-10% to 4,200 units).

Demand grew for such European marques as Volkswagen (+11% to 3,900 vehicles) and BMW (+6% to 2,000 units). Mercedes-Benz volume fell 7% to 2,200 vehicles.