TORONTO, Cananda - Canadian sales of cars and trucks were up 6.5 per cent from a year ago, according to data Tuesday compiled by DesRosiers Automotive Consultants
Light vehicle sales totalled 133,860 in November, up from 125,730, with both Ford and Chrysler selling the most vehicles, at 19,660 and 19,071 respectively.
Chrysler saw the bigger increase, up 13 per cent from 17,013 in the same month last year.
It credited the launch of its 2014 Jeep Cherokee for the boost, saying 1,285 Jeep Cherokee SUVs were sold in their first month of availability.
"2013 is shaping up to be a great year for us as we have gained market share and will achieve our highest annual sales in over a decade," Dave Buckingham, chief operating officer of Chrysler Canada said in a statement.
Ford's sales rose 1.2 per cent from 19,431 in November 2012.
"The automotive industry in Canada continues to roar ahead with a 6th consecutive monthly record," DesRosiers said in a commentary on the results.
"Ford maintained its position as the top selling brand with 19,660 units sold in November, although the company's percentage increase of 1.2 per cent for the month was below the market. The 589 unit gap between Chrysler and Ford is a fraction of what it was in 2012."
GM, meanwhile, said Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac dealers delivered 17,482 vehicles in November, up almost one per cent from the same month last year.
GMC Acadia sales were up 58 per cent for the month, while Cadillac sales increased by 53 per cent in November driven by the Cadillac ATS, the new Cadillac CTS and the SRX. Chevrolet Malibu sales and Total Buick sales also increased.
Total car sales in Canada were up 3.5 per cent to 56,911 in November 2013, while light trucks rose 8.8 per cent to 76,949.
A number of the Japanese brands also made strides in November, with double digit growth for Subaru, Nissan and Mitsubishi, while Korean automakers Kia and Hyundai both saw declines.
Japanese automaker Toyota Canada Inc. sold 7,906 trucks in November, bringing its total for the year so far to 86,057, thanks in part to a 41.6 per cent increase in sales of its popular RAV4 sport utility vehicles.
In total, the company sold 15,593 vehicles in November, up 7.4 per cent from 2012.
Honda Canada's sales were up 13.7 per cent to 12,258, while its luxury segment Acura saw sales fall 5.6 per cent to 1,470.