Canadian manufacturing sales remained virtually unchanged in September after a notable decrease in August.

Manufacturing sales edged up 0.1% to $52.2 billion in September after a sizeable 3.7% decrease in August, Statistics Canada reported Friday.

However, measured in constant dollars, manufacturing sales rose 0.7% compared with August as a result of decreasing industrial product prices.

The constant dollar gain in September followed a notable 4% decrease in August, StatsCan said.

At the industry level, 13 of 21 manufacturing industries increased in September.

The transportation equipment industry reported the largest gain, up 1.1%, increasing for the fourth time in five months. Sales gains were mostly due to a 4.8% rise in production by aerospace product and parts manufacturers. Motor vehicle manufacturers reported a 0.3% decline in September after slipping 4.7% in August.

Primary metal manufacturers posted the most notable decrease in September, reporting a 3% drop in sales. Sales by primary metal manufacturers were affected for the most part by a 2.8% decrease in prices.

Manufacturing sales results were mixed at the provincial level, with an even split between gains and losses.

Manufacturers in Alberta led all provincial gains in September, reporting a 4.2% increase in sales.

Quebec manufacturers saw sales increase 1.6% in September.

Manufacturing sales in Ontario lost ground for a second consecutive month, slipping 0.9%.

Separately, StatsCan reported that dealerships sold 141,574 new motor vehicles in September, up 2.5% from August and the first increase following three months of declines.

Passenger car sales increased 2.3% in September to 75,398 units. Sales of both North American-built and overseas-built passenger cars rose.

Sales of new trucks (which include minivans, sport-utility vehicles, light and heavy trucks, vans and buses) increased 2.8% to 66,176 units.

New motor vehicle sales were up in nine provinces in September, with the largest advance occurring in Prince Edward Island. Rising sales in Alberta, British Columbia (including the three territories) and Nova Scotia accounted for more than half of the national increase.

Saskatchewan was the only province to observe a sales decline in September.

IE