Canada’s manufacturing sector staged a broad retreat in March as shipments fell by 1.6% to $49 billion, Statistics Canada said today.

The drop was much worse than the 0.4% dip analysts had been forecasting.

The agency said the slowdown was extensive as 18 of the 21 manufacturing industries, representing 76% of total sales, posted declines.

A sharp downturn in motor vehicle manufacturing was the chief contributor to the March drop.

The decline in sales was also the first in 2008 as manufacturers had recovered slightly from December’s 3.6% tumble.

Manufacturing shipments produced in Ontario fell by 2.9% and by 1.4% in Alberta.

Quebec’s manufacturing sales rose 0.3% on the strength of the aerospace industry.