The nation's number one automaker, General Motors of Canada, increased total combined car and light truck sales by 0.4 percent to 45,992 units in August, up from 45,790 for the same period in the year prior. But just factoring in car sales of 22,787 units for August 2003, showed a 3.7 percent slip in sales, compared to 23,661 sales in August 2002. Truck sales, however, were up by 4.9 percent from 22,129 units for August of last year to 23,205 units last month.
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| Although car sales are down, both GM and Ford have experienced a substantial increase in light truck sales. (Photo: Ford Motor Company) |
Number two Ford of Canada experienced combined sales of 18,306, 5 percent lower than last August's 11,703 combined sales. Like GM, truck sales were up to 16,638 units, a stellar 6 percent over last year's 12,865 sales figures. Car sales, however, were down 26 percent from 6,326 units to 4,668.
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| Imported competitive products, which are perceived to be higher in quality than domestic made vehicles, are the biggest threat to the Big 3. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press) |
Windsor, Ontario-based DaimlerChrysler Canada showed a decrease of 25.3 percent, from 20,077 units in August 2002 to 14,998 in August 2003. The company, that sells Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep brands, sold 1,722 fewer cars at 3,295 units compared to 5,017 in August of 2002. Unlike GM and Ford, Chrysler Group's truck sales fell 22.3 percent from 15,060 to units.
While DC Canada seems hardest hit, all domestic manufacturers are suffering a tightening market and imported competitive products, which are perceived to be higher in quality than domestic made vehicles. Even the full-size pickup truck market is coming under threat from Toyota's Tundra, and the new Nissan Titan that will become available later this fall.