Lower sales of North American-built passenger cars were offset by higher sales of trucks and overseas-built passenger cars as the number of new motor vehicles sold remained unchanged at 128,426 in January.

Statistics Canada reports preliminary industry data indicate the number of new motor vehicles sold increased seven per cent in February.

Sales of new trucks (which include minivans, sport utility vehicles, light and heavy trucks, vans and buses) increased 2.4 per cent to 65,726, their second straight monthly increase.

The number of new passenger cars sold in January decreased 2.3 per cent to 62,700 units.

Sales of North American-built passenger cars fell 8.2 per cent to 34,234, the lowest monthly sales level since last June.

The number of overseas-built passenger cars sold increased 5.8 per cent.

The number of new motor vehicles sold increased in six provinces, with the largest increase in Saskatchewan, where sales were up by 11.1 per cent.

The largest decline in the number of new motor vehicles sold in January was in Quebec, down two per cent.