Auto North

Canadian auto sales up 0.5%

2010-09-02T12:00:59Z

Canadian automakers reported a slight rise in sales overall in August. Data compiled by DesRosiers Automotive Consultants indicated that overall Canadian auto sales were essentially flat in August at 136,069, a gain of 0.5 per cent from a year earlier.

DesRosiers' numbers suggested that consumer incentives helped drive up sales of light trucks — including sport utility vehicles and pickup trucks — to 75,131, a gain of 12.2 per cent, while passenger car sales dropped 10.9 per cent to 60,938.

Oakville, Ontario-based Ford Canada said sales rose eight per cent from the same month a year earlier, to 24,034 cars and light trucks. That made it Ford's best August in 20 years and kept the company in top place in Canada.

Toyota's Canadian sales fell 29.5 per cent to 12,862 as the company continued to feel the impact of a series of problems that have seen more than 10 million vehicles recalled worldwide in the past year.

It's certainly been a turbulent year. For full sales results, hit the jump.

Mercedes-Benz celebrates record August sales month

2010-09-02T11:34:42Z

Mercedes-Benz and its retailers have reason to celebrate today, as they’ve just reported their best August ever. The Daimler group put a record-setting 2427 Mercedes-Benz and Smart units up on the big monthly sales board. This represents overall growth of 7.4% for the month, as well as an increase of 3054 units on the total of 20,725 vehicles delivered thus far this year (which is an increase of 17.3%). Wunderbar!

Kia Canada hits 20 months of consecutive sales growth

2010-09-02T02:21:10Z

Kia Canada achieved the best-ever August sales month in its eleven year history while continuing the company's sales streak of 20 months of year-over-year sales increases.

Total sales for the month reached 5,430 units, up 16.2 percent versus August 2009. Kia Canada sales through the first 8 months of the year continues to out-pace the industry with a 17.9 per cent increase in 2010. Kia Canada has sold 37,588 units through August 2010.

Subaru Canada has best August ever

2010-09-02T02:15:22Z

Subaru Canada announced today that it set a brand new record for sales results in August. In fact, sales reached 2,328 units, which is up a whopping 20.0 percent over the previous record set just last year.

This past month marked the 13th month of continuous growth, fortifying Subaru Canada's position as the fastest growing Japanese manufacturer in Canada.

Keeping the trend: Hyundai's August sales continue to grow

2010-09-01T12:30:56Z

Hyundai Canada is reporting that its August 2010 sales result extends its year over year growth to an astonishing 19 months after posting a 9.5% gain over August 2009 to 11,403 units.

Leading the way for the brand is the Sante Fe model with 2,650 sold last month; but that doesn't tell the whole story. The Sonata (new for 2011) and Tucson marked increases of 164% and 44% respectively demonstrating plenty of excitment within the brand.

CT 200h global tour leaves the Distillery District

2010-09-01T12:00:47Z

Lexus Live at the Distillery District

This weekend I had the chance to check out the the Lexus CT 200h global tour on their first stop at the Toronto Distillery District. The Saturday show featured the band The Midway State for an open air performance on the brick paved street that runs through the distilleries. There were four shows in total; Lily Frost, Paper Lions, and The Stills rounded out the rest of the weekend.

Hit the jump for photos of the 2011 CT 200h up close and personal.

New forecast for Canadian automotive sales by Scotiabank

2010-09-01T11:30:40Z

Scotiabank is sharing some good news in regard to Canadian vehicle sales. In fact, sales advanced to an annualized rate of 1.65 million vehicles in July, raising the full year forecast to 1.565 million vehicles sold in Canada.

Early in 2010 our full year sales forecast was 1.525 million vehicles sold. However, with car scrappage incentives expiring in European countries and sales slowing in the United States, will sales fall here in Canada?

Click Here for more information.

Toyota to recall Corolla, Matrix for engine controller

2010-08-31T12:00:36Z

Toyota Canada will recall approximately 136,000 Corollas and 64,300 Matrix models, model years 2005 to 2008, for engine control modules (ECM) that may have been improperly manufactured. No other Toyota or Lexus vehicles are involved in the recall.

Behind the Wheel: 2011 Buick Regal CXL review

2010-08-30T13:28:55Z

Regal is a name that has been with Buick for quite some time now, and throughout the years has taken on numerous forms. From a two-door personal luxury coupe to a turbocharged performance coupe to a sedan “for a supercharged family”, the Regal has worn different hats and now it puts on another one. The Buick Regal for 2011 is trying to be something it’s never been before, but at the same time, it’s really nothing new at all.

Based on the European-spec Opel Insignia, the 2011 Buick Regal claims to be a sporty, entry-luxury sedan, and hasn’t Buick always been about those two things? Between the Buick Regal coupe that debuted in 1973 and the famous Regal Grand National of the 80’s, sportiness and luxury are certainly nothing new for this nameplate.

Intrigued by this new attempt to restore the Regal to its former self, we asked if we could take a look. Our tester was a 2011 Buick Regal CXL finished in Carbon Black Metallic with Ebony leather interior. Does the new Regal live up to our high expectations?

Hit the jump to see our impressions of living with it for a week.

Loblaw testing hybrid truck to reduce carbon footprint

2010-08-30T13:27:15Z

Canada's largest food distributor, Loblaw Companies Limited, has set a target to improve the fuel efficiency of its corporate transport fleet by two per cent compared to its 2009 level. To do that they're testing a hybrid class 8 truck from PeterBilt.

"We constantly challenge ourselves in all areas of our business against our corporate social responsibility principles. The hybrid truck pilot is one of the many initiatives undertaken in our supply chain to meet our fuel economy goals for 2010. We believe we are on the right track to once again lower fuel consumption and carbon emissions associated with the transportation of goods to our stores," said Robert Wiebe, senior vice president, Supply Chain, Loblaw Companies Limited.

Learn more about the truck after the jump.