UPDATE 2-Canada auto sales rise in September

(Adds results from Ford and Toyota, total sales, and quote)
Oct 1 (Reuters) - Auto sales in Canada rose 3.7 percent in
September, according to data compiled by DesRosiers Automotive
Consultants on Thursday, a sign that parts of the economy are
strong even though the broader Canadian economy contracted in
the first half.
Total light vehicle sales rose to 174,337 cars and trucks,
as Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (NYSE:FCAU) NV FCHA.MI , Ford Motor (NYSE:F) Co F.N
and General Motors Co (NYSE:GM) GM.N all reported higher Canadian sales
for the month.
"This week Statistics Canada released a positive report on
the Canadian economy that exceeded expectations," DesRosiers
wrote in a note. "September auto sales confirms that parts of
our economy are indeed performing strongly."
The data came as the major U.S. automakers reported a jump
in September sales, boosted by cheap gasoline and ultra-low
interest rates. ID:nL3N12146G
Ford sales rose 3.9 percent in Canada to 28,215 vehicles,
recovering from a 5 percent year-over-year decline in August, as
a 5.6 percent gain in truck sales more than offset a 3.9 percent
decline in car sales.
Fiat Chrysler's Canadian sales rose 1.1 percent to 24,007
vehicles. Ram pickup sales jumped 28.2 percent to 8,449 trucks
from a year earlier, boosting the company's truck sales, which
rose 5.8 percent to 22,398 vehicles. But total car sales dropped
37.2 percent to 1,609 vehicles.
GM sales rose 2 percent to 24,960 vehicles. GM said its GMC
pickup trucks were up 15 percent in September, while sales of
Cadillac vehicles increased 35 percent.
Toyota Canada 7203.T sales jumped 5.5 percent to 19,336
vehicles, boosted in part by a 44 percent increase in Lexus
sales.
Honda Canada 7267.T reported that sales rose 16 percent in
September 2015 to 17,441 Honda and Acura vehicles.