Top 10 best-selling vehicles

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Some have been writing the obituary for Detroit's auto makers, but if the latest list of top 10 best-selling cars and light trucks is any indication, Detroit has not yet sucked in its last breath.

Look at what's been moving so far this year. Exactly half of Canada's best-selling vehicles come from Detroit. True, just two of the top passenger cars are from a Detroit-based auto maker, but eight of the top 10 light trucks come from Ford, General Motors or Chrysler. And light trucks dominate the overall market 55 per cent to 45 per cent.

This is surely a sign of two things:

First, necessity. Very few Canadians spend extra money on a pickup, minivan or sport-utility simply to show off. Some do, of course. But for the most part, Canadians buy light trucks out of necessity - they need to tow or haul things.

Second, the economy. Light trucks are significantly more expensive than passenger cars right across the board. If they are selling briskly, it suggests consumers are feeling confident about the economy, thus they are ready to step up and commit big money on a new vehicle.

Lastly, note that overall, new vehicle sales are up 15.8 per cent on the year. It's early yet and the most important time of year in the car business is the spring selling season from March to July. But if you care about a healthy economy, the signs are looking good so far.

Here are the top 10 cars and light trucks so far this year in Canada:

Passenger Cars

Light Trucks

This is surely a sign of two things:

First, necessity. Very few Canadians spend extra money on a pickup, minivan or sport-utility simply to show off. Some do, of course. But for the most part, Canadians buy light trucks out of necessity - they need to tow or haul things.

Second, the economy. Light trucks are significantly more expensive than passenger cars right across the board. If they are selling briskly, it suggests consumers are feeling confident about the economy, thus they are ready to step up and commit big money on a new vehicle.

Lastly, note that overall, new vehicle sales are up 15.8 per cent on the year. It's early yet and the most important time of year in the car business is the spring selling season from March to July. But if you care about a healthy economy, the signs are looking good so far.

Here are the top 10 cars and light trucks so far this year in Canada:

Passenger Cars

Light Trucks