OTTAWA - Statistics Canada says sales of new cars and trucks were down three per cent to 133,146 units in December, a second consecutive monthly drop.
The agency says weaker sales in Ontario and Alberta accounted for the decrease.
But preliminary data for January suggests auto sales have jumped 16 per cent, mainly due to strong sales of passenger cars.
December sales of minivans, sport-utility vehicles, light and heavy trucks, vans and buses decreased six per cent to 75,175 units.
Passenger car sales rose 1.1 per cent to 57,971 units in December.
Sales of overseas-built cars rose 3.3 per cent for a fourth consecutive monthly increase, while North American car sales slipped 0.2 per cent.
Sales were down in five provinces in December.
Ontario sales were off 6.1 per cent, the province's first decline in five months. Sales in Alberta were down 6.6 per cent for a second consecutive monthly drop.
Sales in Quebec rose 0.9 per cent, a fourth consecutive monthly gain in the province.
