OTTAWA -- Statistics Canada says sales of new cars and trucks rose 15.4 per cent in January to 153,623 units.
The agency says, however, that preliminary industry data suggests sales fell 7.0 per cent in February.
Passenger car sales rose 23.9 per cent to 71,539 units in January on increased sales of lower-cost vehicles.
Sales of North-American built passenger cars led the growth, rising 28.5 per cent, while sales of overseas-built passenger cars were up 16.8 per cent in a fifth consecutive monthly increase.
Sales of minivans, sport-utility vehicles, light and heavy trucks, vans and buses rose 8.8 per cent in January, offsetting declines in November and December.
New motor vehicle sales rose in every province, with Ontario reporting the largest increase of 23.7 per cent.
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