According to data compiled by DesRosiers Automotive Consultants, Canadian new vehicle sales continue to set records. July saw demand reach 176,995 vehicles, bolstering the Seasonally Adjusted Annual Rate (SAAR) to 1.97 million units. It also signifies the best July on record for new vehicle demand.
Although Ford Motor Company of Canada led the way in terms of actual sales and saw a solid 15 per cent gain in volume over last July (28,911 units versus 25,149), General Motors saw an even bigger bump — 25.1 per cent. Chrysler, after getting off to a very strong start this year, saw a more modest increase for July — sales were up five per cent compared with a year ago.
Among Import brands, Porsche and Nissan continued to experience rapid growth — Porsche sales (at 570 units) were almost double those of a year earlier, while Nissan saw demand increase by 43.3 per cent, aided by strong demand for the Micra and Rogue models. Volkswagen Canada also had a great performing July — sales were up a whopping 50.9 per cent compared with this time last year. With new product finally arriving on dealer lots (notably the redesigned Golf) the outlook currently looks bright for the German brand and its dealer network. Land Rover also witnessed a great July — demand was up by 55.6 per cent over the same period last year. By contrast, sister brand Jaguar actually saw a decline — sales were down 5.6 per cent compared with July 2013.
Among those brands that actually saw sales drop in July, Volvo and Acura witnessed the biggest declines — 24.7 and 18.6 per cent compared with the same period a year earlier.
Along with the continued growth in new vehicle sales, Canadians’ appetite for light trucks shows no sign of waning — 102, 535 units represented a 16.3 per cent gain over July 2013, making trucks and SUVs account for 57.8 per cent of the overall new vehicle market last month (versus 55.6 per cent the same time last year.
For more information visit: desrosiers.ca
To see how new vehicle sales have performed so far this year click here: http://canadianautodealer.ca/category/sales-reports/
