(Adds February sales table)
March 1 (Reuters) - Canadian auto sales rose 2 percent inFebruary from a year earlier, helped by strong consumer demandfor light trucks, according to industry data released onThursday.
A total of 125,530 vehicles were sold in February, withlight trucks accounting for more than 70 percent of the sales,according to a report published by Global Automakers of Canada.
"Truck sales continue to comprise the vast majority ofvehicles sold, and companies without a robust truck and SUVportfolio are challenged with their existing product mix," DavidAdams, president of the industry body, said in a statement.
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles FCAU.N said total sales fell 1percent to 18,831 vehicles in the month, but was the topautomaker in terms of volumes, with its Ram brand being thebiggest seller.
Ford Motor (NYSE:F) Co F.N reported a fall of 2.5 percent to 18,505vehicles.
General Motors (NYSE:GM) Co's GM.N total vehicle sales rose 8.8percent. The Detroit-based carmaker sold 17,981 vehicles inCanada last month, with Chevrolet accounting for nearly 61percent of total sales.
In the United States, major automakers on Thursday reportedlower new vehicle sales for February and posted a surprisinglyweak pickup truck sales. Canada light vehicle sales by major automakers {nL4N1QJ5QR}
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