What about the car industry?
Are car sales in Canada really that bad? Or it’s just the impotent incompetent US cars only?
The Vancouver Sun says:
Sales in B.C. were down 9.6 per cent in 2008 compared to 2007, according to Statistics Canada. A report released earlier this week by Scotia Economics predicts sales in B.C. will drop a further 13 per cent in 2009.
The Sun also says in its editorial today:
Harper’s appearances in the United States raise the profile of our support on issues that are now in the forefront. In rejecting the GM and Chrysler restructuring proposals, Ottawa has also confirmed our proportional support for a bailout that can be deemed sustainable.
While Canadians will be uncomfortable with the price, we must recognize that it is the cost of remaining part of an internationally integrated industry that in the past has contributed enormously to our economy.
Well, when we are taught to see the darkness of the car industry, I’m surprised to read the following press releases of today:
Subaru Canada, Inc. (SCI) is pleased to announce that it set an all-time sales record for the month of March. Total vehicle sales were up 14.6 percent over the 1,639 vehicles sold during the same month in 2008. Building on last year’s record-breaking sales results, Subaru’s Canadian sales are continuing to grow faster than any other Japanese manufacturer in 2009. In an industry that’s down by an average of 15 percent, SCI is especially proud to report that this first quarter is the best start to Subaru sales in the company’s history.
Strong sales of the third-generation Subaru Forester led to a record-breaking month, with the Forester retailing 755 units, an 88.8 percent increase over last March. Total monthly Impreza sales were also up by 15.6 percent versus last March.
With the auto show season well underway, dealers have reported a 15 percent increase in showroom traffic over last March. This month’s outstanding sales results are also due, in part, to the successful recent kickoff of the All Weather Days spring sales campaign.
And here comes the world’s largest (thanks to GM) auto maker Toyota:
Canadians are still in the market for quality, fuel-efficient and versatile vehicles to meet their mobility needs, producing strong March sales of new and recently refreshed Toyota and Lexus models – led
by Canadian-built vehicles.Highlights for March 2009 (versus March 2008):
- A record March for the Canadian-built Toyota RAV4, with 1,968 models
sold (up 21.5%). This is the third-straight record sales month for
RAV4, following a best-ever year in 2008.- A record March for the Canadian built Lexus RX 350. In its first full
month of sales since the third-generation 2010 model was introduced,
Lexus sold 768 models (up 95.9%).- Continued strong sales growth for the Toyota Venza, as the four-
cylinder model joined V6-powered editions at Toyota Dealers. Sales of
684 in March bring total Venza sales to 1,628 since the model was
introduced in January.
OK, I just got another one this afternoon; also not an American company:
Mitsubishi Motor Sales Of Canada Inc. (MMSCAN), today, reported its best month ever with 1,983 vehicles sold in March. This surpasses the previous record set in April of 2007 when 1,953 vehicles were sold.
March sales of 1,983 vehicles sold marks an 8.9 percent increase over March 2008 when 1,821 vehicles sold.
YTD sales are up 5.5 percent with 4,536 vehicles sold in 2009 versus 4,301 sold at this time last year.
I personally know a lawyer who bought 3 cars (and traded his old ones) last month, saying the prices are just too attractive these days.
So tell me what’s really going on about the economy.
internationally integrated industry???
Haha.
More racial b.s. from the mainstream liars.
I think the Canadian car industry is doing a little better than the US industry because we’re paying nearly double what the Americans pay for the same cars. It’s absurd.