Canadian new motor vehicle sales rose 2.6 per cent in December, largely on the strength of higher sales of North American-built passenger cars, Statistics Canada reported Friday.

Sales in the month totalled 128,663. Statistics Canada reported monthly sales for the year averaged around 124,000, down from about 140,000 in 2008.

December sales were higher than the average monthly sales for 2009. (Paul Sancya/Associated Press)

The agency says preliminary industry data indicate the January figures were relatively unchanged.

The number of new passenger cars sold in December increased 2.5 per cent to 64,568, while sales of North American-built passenger cars rose 5.1 per cent. Sales of overseas-built passenger cars fell one per cent.

Sales of new trucks (which include minivans, sport-utility vehicles, light and heavy trucks, vans and buses) increased 2.7 per cent to 64,095 in December, partially offsetting a decrease in November.

Sales of new motor vehicles increased across the country except in the region comprised of British Columbia and the northern territories, where they fell 1.9 per cent in December. The largest increase came in Quebec, where December sales rose 2.7 per cent.

With files from The Canadian Press