Manufacturing sales declined 1.0% to $49.9 billion in May, the third decrease in five months. The decline in May reflected lower sales of motor vehicles and petroleum and coal products.

Sales fell in 15 of 21 industries, representing nearly 70% of total Canadian manufacturing.

Constant dollar sales were down 2.1%, indicating that a lower volume of manufactured goods was sold in May.

Motor vehicle sales fell 4.2% to $5.6 billion in May, while sales of motor vehicle parts declined 2.3%. The declines in both industries were partly as a result of supply interruptions associated with the earthquake in Japan in April.