Auto sales down 7.2% in June as downward trend continues

TORONTO—DesRosiers Automotive Consultants Inc. says light vehicle sales fell an estimated 7.2% in June from a year earlier as a downward trend in Canadian auto sales continued.

The automotive consultant says light vehicle sales totalled about 185,740 for the month, down from 200,156 a year earlier.

The dip in June marked the 16th consecutive month of sales declines when compared with the previous year.

A consumer shift away from passenger cars towards generally higher-emission SUVs and pickup trucks continued in June, with car sales down 21.3% for the month while light truck sales declined only 1%.

DesRosiers reports that virtually all brands saw sales decline in June from a year earlier, with the exception of slight gains from luxury brands Volvo and Genesis.

Ford Motor Co. kept its spot as the top-selling brand, General Motors was second, and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles regained third place to knock Toyota Motor Co. to fourth.