OTTAWA –- That uptick you noticed in the economy? It’s real.

Statistics Canada reports that manufacturing sales across the country were up in October.

And much of it reflects a surge in the automotive business.

According to its most recent numbers, Canadian manufacturing sales increased by 1.7 percent in October to $45.5 billion.

The gains were largely petroleum and coal products, primary metals and motor vehicle industries.

Granted, growth in the past few months hasn’t been quite as dramatic as it was in the period between May 2009 and May 2010, but 1.1 percent in October is still positive.

Higher sales were seen in 14 of 21 industries, representing 80 percent of total sales. They were led by petroleum and coal products, which rose 4.3 percent to $6 billion in October.

In the primary metals industry, sales increased 5.8 percent to $3.8 billion.

Of the industries that declined, computer and electronic-product industries led the slide in October, decreasing 4.4 percent.

Sales increased in Quebec, Ontario, Alberta, Newfoundland and Labrador and Saskatchewan; while Manitoba experienced the largest decline — falling 6.6 percent to $1.2 billion.

Inventory levels, meanwhile, have been relatively stable in 2010 following declines for most of 2009.