Vehicle sales in Canada will likely end up in the 1.5 million to 1.6 million range by year-end, General Motors of Canada Ltd. president Michael Grimaldi says. That's roughly in line with the company's original expectations for the year, Mr. Grimaldi said. The lower number in his range would represent a decline from the 1.593 million sales reached last year and fits with the latest sales figures, which show a 5-per-cent year-over-year slide in the first eight months of 2004 from the same period a year earlier. Mr. Grimaldi said in a brief interview in Toronto yesterday that GM's market share in Canada has risen this year, but he still wants an improved performance. Introduction of such new models as the Chevrolet Cobalt and Pontiac Pursuit compact cars, the Buick Allure mid-sized sedan and new sport vans -- formerly called minivans -- should give sales a positive jolt, he said.