The number of new motor vehicles sold declined for a second consecutive month in April, falling 4.7% to 125,792 units. Figures released this morning by Statistics Canada also say April's decrease was mainly a result of lower sales of passenger cars.
Preliminary industry data indicate that the number of new motor vehicles sold remained unchanged in May.
Sales of passenger cars decreased 9.5% to 57,639 units in April. Overseas-built passenger cars (down 15.7%) accounted for most of this decline, negating the increases registered at the beginning of the year. Sales of North American-built passenger cars (down 4.0%) fell for a second consecutive month.
Sales of trucks (which include minivans, sport-utility vehicles, light and heavy trucks, vans and buses) decreased 0.2% to 68,153 units in April. Truck sales have exceeded passenger car sales for the past five months.
New motor vehicle sales were down in all provinces in April.
The 8.5% sales decrease in Quebec had the largest impact on national sales. Sales in this province had been increasing since the beginning of 2009.
Sales of new motor vehicles in Ontario (down 4.0%) fell for a second consecutive month. The significant sales increase in February has been largely offset by the decreases in March and April.
New motor vehicle sales in the region formed by British Columbia and the territories fell 1.5%. Sales in the region have declined every month since October 2009, following a period of steady growth.
