PHOENIX, March 31, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- U-Haul International, Inc., North America's number one choice for do-it-yourself movers, today released the results of the annual 2008 U-Haul National Migration Trend Report titled "The 2008 Top 25 Canadian Destination Cities." According to moving data reflective of nationwide statistics for calendar year 2008, Toronto was ranked No. 1 for the seventh year in a row, while Calgary came in at second for the fifth year in a row. Edmonton takes third and moves up from No. 4, with Montreal dropping to fourth place from No. 3. Ottawa, Vancouver, London, Victoria, Kitchener and Quebec City rounded out the top 10.
"Since 1955, U-Haul has built a long and proud history of helping families move and store their belongings in Canada," stated U-Haul President of Phoenix Operations John "J.T." Taylor. "Now more than ever, we are proud to offer Canadian families who need moving services the increased convenience of our locations, which makes for a shorter distance to travel when moving. This not only makes their move easier but also has the positive effect of reducing the amount of carbon emissions released into the atmosphere."
The ranking reflects destinations for movers traveling more than 50 miles and considers every city in the country, regardless of size. However, the data is not stated as a percentage of population and is not reflective of overall growth.
The 2008 Top 25 Canadian Destination Cities Report was compiled from more than 79,900 U-Haul truck transactions occurring between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2008.
Since 1945, U-Haul has been the undisputed choice for the "do-it-yourself" mover, with a network of more than 15,650 locations in all 50 United States and 10 Canadian provinces. U-Haul customers' patronage has enabled the Company to maintain a fleet size of 96,000 trucks, 75,000 trailers and 35,000 towing devices. U-Haul offers more than 395,000 rooms and more than 34 million square feet of storage space at more than 1,075 owned and managed facilities throughout North America. U-Haul is the consumer's number one choice as the largest installer of permanent trailer hitches in the automotive aftermarket industry. U-Haul supplies alternative-fuel for vehicles and backyard barbecues as one of the nation's largest retailers of propane.
The U-Haul International, Inc. logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=5134
Note to editors: The annual mileage of North American U-Haul trucks, trailers and tow dollies would move a family to the moon and back more than 20.5 times per day, every day of the year. The annual mileage of North American U-Haul trucks, trailers and tow dollies would travel around the Earth 194 times per day, every day of the year.
U-Haul(r) Top 25 Canadian Destination Cities*
January - December 2008
1. TORONTO, Ontario
2. CALGARY, Alberta
3. EDMONTON, Alberta
4. MONTREAL, Quebec
5. OTTAWA, Ontario
6. VANCOUVER, British Columbia
7. LONDON, Ontario
8. VICTORIA, British Columbia
9. KITCHENER, Ontario
10. QUEBEC CITY, Quebec
11. WINNIPEG, Manitoba
12. HALIFAX, Nova Scotia
13. HAMILTON, Ontario
14. SURREY, British Columbia
15. KELOWNA, British Columbia
16. KINGSTON, Ontario
17. MISSISSAUGA, Ontario
18. SASKATOON, Saskatchewan
19. RED DEER, Alberta
20. BARRIE, Ontario
21. WINDSOR, Ontario
22. REGINA, Saskatchewan
23. MONCTON, New Brunswick
24. LETHBRIDGE, Alberta
25. NANAIMO, British Columbia
* Data compiled from more than 79,900 U-Haul one-way truck
transactions from January - December 2008.