The increase in vehicle sales in May, up from 24,406 in May 2011, gave Chrysler its best retails sales numbers in the calendar year to date since 2002.KEVIN LAMARQUE/Reuters
Several auto companies continued to enjoy strong sales in Canada last month, with Chrysler, Hyundai and Kia all reporting increases compared with May 2011.
Chrysler Canada said it enjoyed its 30th consecutive year-over-year increase in May, with sales rising seven per cent to 26,218 vehicles from 24,406 in May 2011.
"There have only been three months in the last 10 years that have hit the 26,000 sales mark and I'm thrilled to count May 2012 among them," said chief operating officer David Buckingham.
The increase in vehicle sales in May gave Chrysler its best retail sales numbers for the calendar year to date since 2002, the company said in a release.
Meanwhile, Hyundai Auto Canada Corp recorded a two per cent increase in May sales to 14,249 vehicles from 13,967, its best May ever and 41st consecutive year-over-year monthly increase.
So far in 2012, Hyundai sales are up 4.7 per cent at 57,881 vehicles from 55,286 by this time last year.
"As proud as I am of our continued strong performance, I'm particularly optimistic looking ahead to the second half of the year," said Steve Kelleher, president and CEO of the South Korean-based auto maker, which plans to introduce new models in the second half of the year.
Meanwhile, another Korean-based auto company, Kia Canada Inc, reported its second-straight best month ever with 8,460 new vehicles sold, a 22.1 per cent increase over May 2011.