Chrysler Canada sales for August up nine per cent from year ago mark

Chrysler Canada says August sales are up nine per cent from year ago, their highest mark for the month since 2000.

 The automaker says it sold 20,569 vehicles last month, up from 18,816 in August 2011.

The increase was largely driven by car sales, which climbed 84 per cent from a year ago.

Total truck sales increased 1.7 per cent.

The strong August sales came as Chrysler Canada and the other major U.S. automakers continue contract talks with the Canadian Auto Workers union.

Chrysler workers have voted 99 per cent in favour of strike action if necessary.