Ford tops Canadian sales charts in July

Ford hasclaimed the top spot in Canadian auto sales for the second month in a row as the number of vehicles it sold in July rose by more than 47 per cent from the same month last year.

Ford said Tuesday that it sold 26,788 vehicles last month. The number of trucks rose almost 60 per cent to 21,668 while car sales rose nearly 11 per cent to 5,120.

Ford was the only Detroit Big Three automaker to enjoy higher sales.

General Motors saw its sales plunge more than 41 per cent to 19,527 vehicles, down from 33,418 in July 2008.

Chrysler Canada said sales fell 10 per cent to 15,891 units from 17,673 a year earlier.

Korean automakers Hyundai and Kia and German carmakers Mercedes-Benz and Audi also reported higher sales.

Best July ever for Audi, Hyundai

Hyundai said it had its best July ever, selling 10,488 vehicles in Canada, an increase of 37 per cent from the same month last year. Kia said it sold 5,110 units, an increase of almost 30 per cent.

Mercedez-Benz sold 1,978 vehicles, an increase of 9.5 per cent. Audi reported its best July sales ever, up 40 per cent to 822 vehicles.

Other automakers saw sales decline, led by Honda Canada, whichreported that sales fell to 12,984 vehicles by its Honda and Acura divisions combined, down 19 per cent from July last year.

Toyota Canada said sales of its Toyota and Lexus brands fell by 12.5 per cent to 19,232 units.

Nissan, which also sells the luxury Infiniti brand, said it sold 7,534 vehicles, a drop of just over three per cent.

Swedish automaker Saab said sales plunged 86 per cent to 38 vehicles comparedto 268 a year ago.