Sales of new vehicles jumped in February, but preliminary data suggests that the numbers fell in March, Statistics Canada said Friday.

Sales jumped 8.1 per cent in February to 138,336 units, compared with January. Year-over-year, the increase was 22.8 per cent.

However, "preliminary industry data indicate that the number of new motor vehicles sold decreased by four per cent in March," Statistics Canada said.

Sales of new trucks — minivans, sport-utility vehicles, trucks, vans and buses — rose eight per cent to 71,803 units, while sales of cars were up 8.2 per cent to 66,533 units.

Seven provinces reported sales gains, with five in the double digits: New Brunswick (13.1 per cent), Manitoba (12.1 per cent), Nova Scotia (11.1 pr cent), Ontario (11 per cent) and Alberta (10.2 per cent).

Sales fell in Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador, British Columbia and the Territories.