Saskatchewan is coming out a big winner when it comes to three economic factors.

    According to Stats Canada, new vehicle sales in the province rose 15.7 per cent in January over December 2008, well above the national average increase of 5.5 per cent.

    New vehicle sales did drop 7.5 per cent compared to January 2008, but is still ahead of the national decline of 25.3 per cent.

    Wholesale and retail sales also saw big jumps in January, with wholesale posting a nation-leading 14 per cent increase over January 2008, and retail jumping 0.3 per cent in that same 12-month period.

    National averages were a 7.8 per cent decline for wholesale, and a 4.5 per cent drop in retail.