TORONTO - Ford Canada was Canada's top-selling automaker despite seeing sales fall in May, which was a soft month for the industry as fewer consumers shopped for trucks.
Ford Canada reported Wednesday that it sold 25,448 vehicles last month, down 2.6 per cent from the 26,122 it sold during the month last year.
It credited sales of fuel-efficient vehicles with helping to keep it in the top spot as consumers look to make more economical choices in the face of rising gas prices. Car sales grew by 21 per cent to 7,534, while truck sales fell by 10 per cent to 17,914.
It was the first month of the year the automaker reported a decline in truck sales, in a sign that high gas prices might have started to force drivers to scale down. However, automakers have been reporting larger increases in car sales for most of this year due to soaring gas costs.
"Our market share increased in May, despite a slight sales decline in an industry that is down four per cent," said David Mondragon, Ford Canada's president and CEO.
Overall light vehicle sales in Canada totalled 149,034 for May, down about 3.8 per cent from 154,927 a year ago, according to data compiled by DesRosiers Automotive Consultants.
Car sales were down 6.5 per cent at 69,402 compared with 74,196 in May 2010, while light truck sales fell 1.4 per cent to 79,632 from 80,731 a year ago.
Chrysler Canada was the second best-selling automaker in Canada in May, and the only of the so-called Detroit big three automakers to post an increase in year-over-year sales.
It now claims it is the fastest-growing automaker in Canada for the second year in a row and the second best seller this year.
Chrysler Canada sold 24,406 vehicles in May, compared to 20,887 in the month last year. Car sales grew by 12 per cent to 4,594 from 4,093 last year and truck sales were up 18 per cent to 19,812 from 16,794 a year ago.
"It is one of those unique times when everything is going right," said Reid Bigland, President and CEO of Chrysler Canada.
Chrylser Canada repaid its $1.7 billion debt to the Canadian and Ontario governments this year after turning to them for a bailout to save the bankrupt company from financial ruin during the height of the recession. The governments still hold a 1.7 per cent stake in the company.
GM sat at third, with sales down 4.7 per cent to 22,997 compared to 24,139 last May.
Car sales grew by five per cent during the month, with sales of its fuel-efficient Cruze driving the increase. Car sales are up 22 per cent year-to-date. Truck sales were down 2.2 per cent to 63,296 from 64,735 a year ago.
"While May was a slower month than anticipated for the industry, Cruze has quickly become Chevrolet's number one selling vehicle since launching last fall and is leading our passenger car sales growth," said Marc Comeau, vice-president of sales, service and marketing at GM of Canada.
"Gas prices are top of mind for our customers, and we've seen continued momentum from fuel efficient vehicles."
Subaru Canada said it set a sales record for May with sales up 5.7 per cent to 2,576 units.
Volvo Canada also had a good month, selling 770 vehicles, a 20 per cent increase over last May.
U.S. auto sales cooled off in May as dealers started running short on some popular, fuel-efficient models and buyers were turned off by sharply lower incentives.
Deals aren't likely to come back until the end of this summer. Some experts are advising people to delay their purchases if they can.
Once again, small, compact and midsize car sales were up and truck sales were down because of high gas prices.
