UPDATE 3-Detroit's Big Three report higher Canadian sales

(Adds half-year figures from GM, sales results for Toyota,
commentary from analyst)
By Allison Lampert
MONTREAL, July 4 (Reuters) - Detroit's Big Three automakers
on Monday reported higher Canadian sales for June and for the
first half of 2016, on an annual basis, with forecasters
expecting another record-breaking year.
June sales hit a new record for the month, rising 7.4
percent to 191,088 on an annual basis, according to Canadian
auto analyst Dennis DesRosiers on Monday. Sales of trucks, SUVs
and vans grew 13.9 percent, even as sluggish sales of sedans
declined 2.9 percent on an annual basis, he wrote in a note.
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles FCHA.MI , reported a total of
27,776 vehicles sold in June, up 2 percent compared with the
same month in 2015. For the first half of 2016, FCA Canada said
it sold 152,439 vehicles, a record high for the automaker.
"At the mid-year point, FCA Canada is on pace for another
record-setting sales year," said Dave Buckingham, Chief
Operating Officer, FCA Canada, in a statement.
According to a June report by Scotiabank, Canadian auto
sales are expected to rise to 1.96 million vehicles in 2016, up
from a record-breaking 1.9 million units last year.
In May, Canadian auto sales slipped 1.5 percent on an annual
basis, the first monthly decline since December 2015, in part
because the month had two fewer selling days.
"The market rebounded strongly in June after a slower month
in May," DesRosiers said. "Sales finished 6.0 percent higher for
the first half of 2016, without a clear sign of slowing down."
Ford Motor (NYSE:F) Co F.N and General Motors Co (NYSE:GM) GM.N , reported
higher Canadian sales in June, which had 26 selling days,
compared to 25 during the same month in 2015.
Ford said in a news release it sold 28,718 vehicles in June,
up 7 percent for the month. Ford's sales during the first half
of 2016 rose nearly 12 percent to 149,942 vehicles.
GM delivered 26,045 vehicles in June, up 8 percent on an
annual basis. GM said its sales for the first six months of 2016
rose 2.3 percent to 130,202 units.
Toyota Motor Corp 7203.T sold 22,004 vehicles in June, up
6.4 percent compared to 2015. Sales for the first half of the
year reached 113,410 units, up 8 percent on an annual basis.
In the United States, which reported results on July 1, the
pace of auto sales slowed in June compared to a year ago, as
slumping sales of sedans offset strong demand for pickups and
sport utility vehicles.