Auto sales on the growth path

According to Scotiabank’s Global Auto report, automobile sales grew 25% year-over -year in March, which marks the 6th consecutive double digit increase.

Carlos Gomes, senior economist, Scotia Economics, said that the emerging nations are leading the way with gains of over 40%.

The report said that consumers are now buying more expensive models and that the prices of new vehicles are rising in both the United States and Canada.

According to Gomes, Canadians are shifting from lower priced, smaller cars to light trucks, which are more expensive.

Gomes added that the shift from smaller cars to the more expensive models reflected the consumers’ rising confidence along with improving economic conditions, which includes the return of job growth since August, 2009.