Canada Auto Sales Keep Climbing

Canadian auto sales rose 6.9% in August, according to data released on Tuesday, as the industry benefited from a robust economy and rising consumer confidence. In a strong finish to the summer, about 183,945 units were sold last month in the country, a report from Global Automakers of Canada showed, Reuters reported. That number raises the year-to-date total units sold to 1.40 million, a gain of 5.3% from a year earlier, according to Canadian automotive research firm DesRosiers. “August was another tremendous month for the automotive industry generally,” GAC President David Adams wrote in the report. “Unless we hit some unexpected economic turbulence, it seems reasonable that Canada will achieve another new sales record in 2017.” Auto sales typically track macro indicators such as employment and economic growth. Canada’s economy grew at its best pace in nearly six years in the second quarter helped by robust consumer spending and strong energy exports.