Source: The Canadian Press

Manufacturing sales increased 2% in August to $45.1 billion.

Statistics Canada reports gains were widespread, but the increase was powered by motor vehicle and petroleum and coal product manufacturers.

The agency says higher sales volumes were responsible for most of the gain.

Constant-dollar manufacturing sales were up 2.1% as 15 of 21 industries, representing 81.8% of total sales, reported increases.

Sales rose 13.9% to $4 billion in the motor vehicle manufacturing industry as August production increased following widespread plant shutdowns in July.

Sales rose 2.4% in the petroleum and coal products industry to $5.4 billion, largely on the strength of higher sales volumes.

Other industries contributing to the overall increase in factory sales included non-metallic mineral products (up 6.3%), fabricated metal products (2.3), chemicals (1.5) and paper (2.3).

Among those recording declines was the primary metals industry, where sales fell 2.2%.

Manufacturing sales increased in Ontario, Quebec, Saskatchewan, Alberta and Nova Scotia in August.

Sales were down 4.4% in both Manitoba and New Brunswick, while Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador, and British Columbia also reported declines.

Inventories levels increased 1.3% in August to $60 billion.

New orders were up 5.3% in August to $45.9 billion.