MARCH VEHICLE SALES CONTINUE POSITIVE NEWS FOR SASKATCHEWAN

With the coming of spring, sales were blossoming at Saskatchewan's automotive dealerships in March according to Statistics Canada's latest report on figures for new vehicle sales.

In March 2011 compared to March 2010 (seasonally-adjusted), new motor vehicle sales in Saskatchewan increased by 13.6 per cent, ranking Saskatchewan second in terms of growth rate among the provinces. On a seasonally-adjusted basis, Saskatchewan was fourth in terms of percentage change among the provinces with a 5.0 per cent increase in new vehicle sales in March 2011 compared to February 2011.

"These increases are very much a sign of the times in Saskatchewan," Enterprise Saskatchewan Minister Jeremy Harrison said. "Statistics Canada recently released that Saskatchewan had a very strong 2010 and forecasters are predicting we will lead the country in economic growth in 2011. With our province's robust statistics for new vehicle sales, our strong numbers for urban housing starts, the lowest unemployment rate in Canada, and two of Canada's top three cities in economic growth rates, Saskatchewan is enjoying a period of unprecedented prosperity."

In seasonally unadjusted terms, new motor vehicle sales in Saskatchewan increased by 18 per cent in March 2011 compared to March 2010, good for second place. In the first three months of 2011, sales in Saskatchewan increased by 4.9 per cent (seasonally unadjusted), ranking the province third in terms of growth rate among the provinces compared to the same period in 2010.

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For more information, contact:

Jamie Shanks
Enterprise Saskatchewan
Regina
Phone: 306-787-2202
Email: jamie.shanks@enterprisesask.ca