Ford top-selling automaker in Canada

The Canadian Press - Ford Canada is claiming the title of Canada's top-selling automaker for the month of October and for the year so far.

The Canadian division of the Detroit Big Three automaker said Thursday its overall sales grew seven per cent to 20,565 vehicles from 19,190 in October 2011, largely driven by a 17 per cent jump in car sales.

Truck sales were also up, with a five per cent increase over last October.

Among Ford's best-selling vehicles were the Focus, which marked its best October since 2004 with a sales up 50 per cent, and Mustang, sales of which were up 104 per cent.

"The auto industry is a key engine driving the Canadian economy and it is showing strong, sustainable growth," said Dianne Craig, president and CEO, Ford of Canada.

"Fuel economy continues to be a key purchase consideration for consumers and we are offering them the power of choice with the EcoBoost engines, hybrid vehicles and plug-in hybrids," she said.

Since January, Ford's sales are up just slightly, 0.5 per cent over last year's sales to date.

Meanwhile, Big Three rival Chrysler Canada said sales increased 2.7 per cent in its best October since 2002, also marking its 35th consecutive month of year-over-year sales growth.

Chrysler said vehicle sales totalled 17,504 last month, up from 17,049 in October 2011.

Increases in passenger car sales drove the increase, up 15 per cent, whereas truck sales rose less than one per cent.

"Chrysler Canada has experienced tremendous passenger car sales growth throughout 2012," said chief operating officer Dave Buckingham.

Sales at Japanese automakers ramped up as they continue to benefit from a return to full inventory after months of playing catch-up following a devastating earthquake and tsunami in March 2011.

Toyota Canada said preliminary estimates indicate sales jumped 11 per cent from last October and sales of its luxury Lexus vehicles were up 23 per cent.

And Honda Canada Inc. has reported a 20 per cent increase in vehicle sales in October compared with a year ago, led by a 28 per cent increase in its Acura luxury division.

The Honda automobile division reported October sales of 11,590 units, up 19 per from last year, while the Acura division saw sales increase to 1,887 units.

Sales figures from other automakers are expected to trickle in throughout Thursday.

In the U.S., most major automakers reported sales increases in October despite some losing at least three days of business to the punishing rain and wind from superstorm Sandy.

Toyota said its sales rose almost 16 per cent for the month, while Volkswagen reported another strong month with sales up 22 per cent. Honda sales slowed from double-digit growth earlier in the year to 8.8 per cent, while Chrysler sales rose 10 per cent, General Motors was up 5 per cent and Ford rose slightly.