Canadian auto sales set August record, GM up 3.2%

[dindak]

TORONTO (Reuters) - Canadian auto sales recorded their best-ever August as the traditional Big Three North American automakers grabbed back some market share from import nameplates, company figures showed on Tuesday.

.. It marked the first month this year where sales at the three automakers collectively picked up market share from the imports.

http://www.globeinvestor.com/servlet...S-COL/GIStory/

[marinerbc]

"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step."

[MrJamesMc]

So just asking, do Canadians classify American cars as a domestic since it's closest to them and also many American cars are made in Canada? Forgive me if I'm wrong please, I'm just asking.

[marinerbc]

Originally Posted by MrJamesMc

So just asking, do Canadians classify American cars as a domestic since it's closest to them and also many American cars are made in Canada? Forgive me if I'm wrong please, I'm just asking.

The US and Canadian markets are one as far as movement of vehicles goes. Impalas from Oshawa are sold in the US, as well as Saturns from Kentucky here.

The sales numbers themselves are from GM Canada, which is a subsidiary of General Motors Corporation. (It's more complicated than that, but it will suffice for now.) The totals would reflect GM Canada's sales at dealerships in Canada, regardless of where in North America they were manufactured (including NAFTA partner Mexico.) I also presume that they include GM DAT vehicles from Korea Aveo, Wave, Optra 5?), and possibly some others.

Can't help it. Gotta do this:

Way to GO!!!

[MrJamesMc]

Oh thanks, so from my understanding, the way an American views buying an American car to help support their country is similar to a Canadian buying an American car, since they too help benifit Canada a little with many of them being made in Canada and being a North American company. I know all this division and business stuff is some what complicated though. From my understanding their is GM Canada, a division of General Motors.

[I-Love-Pontiac]

I've always thought as America and Canada being pretty much the same. We talk the same. Act the Same. And for the most part even have the same cultural trends.

And as pointed out above... they buy a lot of the cars we make, and we buy a lot of the cars they make.

[dindak]

Domestic = GM, Ford and Chrysler here also. Not sure why, probably the history as Canadian auto companies were bought out by the big 3 way back when.

GM is the most domestic in my eyes as they not only produce more cars here than anyone, they also design cars here (example - Chev Equinox) and no other car company does that. They also employ a couple of friends so I like to support GM if I can.

[zete]

We seem to tag the cars by where they're from. Hence we have American cars, Japanese cars, German cars, etc. However, emotionally, we see American cars as domestic and part of Canada's heritage. The CAW looms large in Canada, esp. during elections, as do the Big Three, which to us represent the Canadian auto industry, though Toyota and Honda now have a huge presence as well they're still considered "foreign" or "imported" by auto buyers.

I think this quote from the article illustrates it best: "Canadian sales for the Big Three North American automakers -- GM, Chrysler and Ford -- increased 4.3 percent versus a 1.8 percent drop in sales of import nameplates."

[hdmax]

So toyota slipped to 5th place last month. This is great news. Hopefully, they will continue to slip.

[Family Man]

I think the main reason GM, Ford and Chrysler are seen as domestic is because their head-offices are in NORTH America. Honda & Toyota build many, many cars here in Canada, as they do in the US, but are still seen as "foreign". We like to help out our big brother when we have the chance.

As for the sales, Chrysler's gains are pretty sad given that they were having yet another "Employee Pricing" extravaganzza.

I hate to put some bad news into this, but I think that GM Canada's increases may have to do with some fleet dumping as in the US. GM's press release does not state anything about retail/fleet sales (like they've done in the past) and check out these little tid bits from their press release:

Sales Highlights for August

GM’s all-new family of crossover vehicles continue to perform well with the GMC Acadia, Buick Enclave and Saturn Outlook driving a 69.8% increase in mid-utility sales.
GM’s broad selection of small, fuel efficient cars were up a combined 10%
GM’s Pontiac Division posted strong gains, up 19.5%, driven by double digit increases for the G5, G6, Grand Prix and Solstice.
Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra 1500 series crew cabs posted a combined increase of 54.2%, driven by strong demand in Western Canada.
GM saw growth in van sales with the affordable Chevrolet Uplander and Pontiac Montana SV6 up 25.2% and 45.9%, respectively

Pontiac's gains are due to G5, G6 and GP double digit gains? Can you say fleet?
Uplander and Montana SV6 (yes, we still have them) over 20% increases?!? Can you say fleet??


Press Release

[zete]

Originally Posted by Family Man

snip
:

Pontiac's gains are due to G5, G6 and GP double digit gains? Can you say fleet?
Uplander and Montana SV6 (yes, we still have them) over 20% increases?!? Can you say fleet??

One thing I noticed the last few days is the number of new Montanas and Uplanders in our neighbourhood. I was totally surprised. Just today I was following two of them off my street. There were ZERO a couple of weeks back. So, not all are going to fleet. I think the 0% purchase pulled in a lot of buyers looking for an inexpensive minivan.

[bcjohnso99]

Originally Posted by zete

I think this quote from the article illustrates it best: "Canadian sales for the Big Three North American automakers -- GM, Chrysler and Ford -- increased 4.3 percent versus a 1.8 percent drop in sales of import nameplates."

Agree...

I consider USA domestic because Canada's exports are largely consumed by Americans. Also, there is far more diversity within the countries than between them (big city vs farmers, coastal vs heartland, etc)

When I buy a vehicle, I'm a little biased in favour of GM but domestic content is far more important. A Honda that leads to employment for my neighbours will win over a GM vehicle built overseas - no contest.

[unkillsam]

Originally Posted by bcjohnso99

Agree...

I consider USA domestic because Canada's exports are largely consumed by Americans. Also, there is far more diversity within the countries than between them (big city vs farmers, coastal vs heartland, etc)

When I buy a vehicle, I'm a little biased in favour of GM but domestic content is far more important. A Honda that leads to employment for my neighbours will win over a GM vehicle built overseas - no contest.

With the exception of the Aveo, what GM car is not built in North America?

Seriously, just asking? Not trying to start an arguement.

[rsbaker]

Originally Posted by I-Love-Pontiac

I've always thought as America and Canada being pretty much the same. We talk the same. Act the Same. And for the most part even have the same cultural trends.

And as pointed out above... they buy a lot of the cars we make, and we buy a lot of the cars they make.

I'll bet the Québécois would have somthing else to say about that.

[bcjohnso99]

Originally Posted by unkillsam

With the exception of the Aveo, what GM car is not built in North America?

Seriously, just asking? Not trying to start an arguement.

Aveo, Optra, Wave, 9-3, 9-5

Coming soon: G8, Astra

The Equinox has a Chinese engine and Japanese Transmission but is assembled in Canada so I didn't include it.

Also, some people may add Mexican built vehicles....