New figures from Statistics Canada show an increase of five hundred units for new vehicle sales in Saskatchewan in January 2008 compared to January 2007.

According to Lyle Stewart, the Minister of Enterprise and Innovation, the numbers re-affirm a confidence in our province's economy saying it's a good increase and he believes the economy is going to stay strong with the numbers proving that.

The increase, 21.3 percent, is the third highest in Canada.

Manufacturing shipments for the same period were also up, 5.5 percent, the fourth highest percentage rate increase among the provinces.