Canadian light vehicle sales figures are in for June and continue to roll along at a gradually slowing pace as economic concerns build, according to DesRosiers Automotive Consultants.
Based on the firm’s latest update, sales came in at an estimated 178,000 units — up 5.3 per cent from a weak June 2024. The figure is also well below pre-pandemic levels, as June sales exceeded 200,000 back in 2017 and 2018.
“Significantly, the SAAR last month was 1.81 million — the lowest level so far this year and a continuation of the trend we have seen in recent months of the market losing momentum after a strong start to the year,” said Andrew King, Managing Partner of DAC, in a statement.
However, DAC also noted that June 2025 was short two selling days compared to the same period in 2024. Adding to the overall economic environment that includes declining GDP numbers and growing unemployment, DAC said the market performance was “about as good as could be expected.”
For the first half of the year, new light vehicle sales reached 976,000 units sold. That’s up 5.6 per cent from the first half of 2024.
DAC also mentioned that General Motors led the market; its sales reaching 158,000 units. For larger volume brands, they said Honda saw a significant sales increase in the first half (up 21.1 per cent), while Mazda enjoyed a 20.5 per cent sales gain. As for luxury brands, Lexus (20.9 per cent) and Acura (17.9 per cent) saw gains, though other brands struggled. “With July 21 the next ‘deadline’ in the trade negotiations we will be watching closely and hoping for signs of a trade deal that can change market momentum and reverse this drift toward a long, slow summer,” said DAC.
