Civic passes Ford pickups to top '08 sales

Ever popular Honda car thrived when pump prices climbed skyward
Jan 06, 2009 04:30 AM
Tony Van Alphen Business Reporter

The Honda Civic compact has surpassed the Ford F-series pickup truck to become Canada's most popular vehicle.

Sales of the Civic climbed 2 per cent to 72,463 while business for the F-series pickup, which led the market for five consecutive years, slid 8 per cent to 67,749 in 2008, the companies revealed yesterday.

It marks the first time in 15 years that a car has topped a truck as the country's best selling vehicle. In 1993, the Chevrolet Cavalier came out on top if one doesn't count the combined sales of the Chevrolet and GMC C/K pickup trucks.

Analysts say the Civic benefited from soaring fuel prices for most of 2008 while the popularity of pickups, including the F-series, dropped for the same reason.

"We're very proud of this achievement and wish to thank Canadian consumers for their vote of confidence," said Richard Jacobs, manager of public relations for Honda Canada.

Honda introduced the Civic in 1973 and its latest generation model hit showrooms in 2006.
Slightly bigger than previous versions, it has upheld the Civic's reputation for quality, durability, fuel efficiency and value, according to Jacobs.

"It's green, safe and fun," he said.

The Civic has remained the country's most popular car for more than a decade, but the venerable F-series and Dodge Caravan minivan models have dominated as best-selling vehicle.

The F-series has held the title of most popular pickup truck in Canada for 43 consecutive years.

In explaining last year's decline, Ford said most of it was lower sales of its super-duty models that need more fuel.

In concert with soaring fuel prices, sales of subcompact and compact cars jumped. Business for subcompacts rose more than 20 per cent while deliveries of compacts increased about 10 per cent, according to DesRosiers Automotive Consultants.

Several small cars also sped by trucks to enter the Top 10 list of best selling vehicles. They included the Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Toyota Yaris and Chevrolet Cobalt.

Meanwhile sales of other perennial top sellers such as the Caravan and Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra fell.

Despite the huge drop in the pickup sector, sales of the Dodge Ram pickup improved slightly last year.

Source;
http://www.thestar.com/printArticle/562184