The Financial Post reports in its Wednesday edition that vehicle sales in Canada are on pace to break last year's annual record of 1.95 million, after posting a 6.9-per-cent monthly increase in August, as sales continue to rise around the world. The Post's Alicja Siekierska writes that Global Automakers of Canada, which represents 15 industry manufacturers, said Tuesday more than 1.4 million new vehicles have been sold this year, 5.3 per cent more than last year's record-breaking pace. Demand for light trucks and SUVs continued to bolster sales, with sales increasing by 10 per cent and 5 per cent, offsetting declining passenger car sales, which fell 0.5 per cent. August sales came in at 183,945 units, Global Automakers said. General Motors Co. led the way in terms of sales, surpassing Ford Motor for the first time in five months. GM said vehicle sales jumped by 28.5 per cent in August when compared with last year, the company's best results for that month since 2008. GM Canada sold 28,981 vehicles in August, bringing the year-to-date total sales to 205,329, an 18-per-cent increase from last year. GM's GMC and Cadillac brands reported strong results, with record high sales for both in the month of August.