The percentage of vehicles brought into Canada from the United States has burgeoned. Based on reports, despite local automakers offering cash goodies, the number of cross-border shopping increases.

According to the North American Automobile Trade Association, a trade group of auto importers and exporters, Canadians imported 24,873 vehicles north in October alone. The number is a 68 percent raise from the month of September.

In 2006, the territory eked for the first time more than 100,000 vehicles headed north. This year, imports have already gone beyond 136,000 units. To stress, the figured are expected to hit a new record of 164,000 imports.

I suspect there is an added psychological boost in having a dollar that trades at par, said Brian Osler, the president of NAATA. After rounding or approximating numbers, consumers probably feel a little more confident in comparing prices. Oslerâ ™s comments came after the Canadian dollar lost some ground, dropping to US$1.068 after piercing past US$1.10 Wednesday.

In the context of the overall Canadian auto industry and based on 2006 results, this years record imports would represent barely four percent of all new and used vehicles sold nationwide, the Financial Post reported. It is apparent therefore, that the vast majority of Canadians are still shopping at home. Analysts say Canadian shoppers are unwilling to go through any hassle and content with the deals they are getting locally.