The Big Three automakers continue to lose market share in the United States but are regaining ground in Canada, according to a new report from Scotia Economics.

In its latest Canadian Auto Report, which was released today, Scotia Economic says U.S. sales by the Big Three have declined by 6% so far this year, reducing their market share to 59%.

Meanwhile, the Big Three led the way in Canada last month, with volumes advancing 16% year-over-year. That’s the best performance in more than five years.

“The improvement was powered by gains in excess of 20% at DaimlerChrysler and General Motors,” the report says. “In contrast to the United States, the Big Three’s share has started to revive in Canada, climbing in February to the highest level in more than two years alongside scaled-up incentives.”

Canadian overall vehicle sales rebounded in February, after the previous month’s freeze.

“Car and light truck sales posted a double-digit year-over-year gain last month, reversing January’s 5% fall-off. We estimate that purchases climbed to 1.7 million units annualized in February (likely unsustainable), bringing the year-to-date average to 1.5 million units — 4% above a year earlier.”

U.S. passenger vehicle purchases totalled an annualized 16.3 million units in February, slightly lower than expected and roughly in line with January’s 16.2 million.

A weaker-than-expected performance by the Big Three accounted for much of the decline. Volumes advanced 8% year-over-year at Chrysler, but slumped 13% at General Motors and 3% at Ford.

According to the report, Big Three sales in the United States have been weakest for large SUVs and pickups, the most profitable segments. The slowdown partly reflects record oil prices.

“Consumers have also been shifting to popular new crossover utility vehicles (CUVs) and small pickup trucks introduced by Japanese automakers,” says Carlos Gomes, Scotiabank’s auto industry specialist.