Source: The Canadian Press

Manufacturing sales increased for the eighth time in nine months in May, advancing 0.4% to $44.8 billion.

Statistics Canada reports the motor vehicle and parts industries were the primary contributors to the higher sales.

Excluding motor vehicle and parts, total manufacturing sales edged down 0.1%.

Constant-dollar manufacturing sales rose 0.4%, their ninth consecutive monthly increase.

The agency says higher sales were reported in nine of 21 industries, representing 48.9% of total sales.