Canada’s new-vehicle market remained steady in October, with an estimated 159,000 units sold. That’s down just 1.8 per cent from last year’s Quebec-driven spike, according to DesRosiers Automotive Consultants (DAC).
A year ago, Quebec’s pending cut to ZEV rebates triggered record October sales exceeding 43,000 units. With another round of provincial incentive reductions set for year-end, the province’s EV momentum has cooled, though the return of the German-built Tesla Model Y has helped revive some activity.
Nationally, DAC Managing Partner Andrew King described October sales as “solid,” with the seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR) hitting 1.94 million units — “the strongest we have seen since Q1 when pent-up demand from the semiconductor shortages was still boosting sales.”
Still, King cautioned that trade uncertainty, possible semiconductor disruptions, and soft economic indicators could test the market’s resilience heading into winter. He said with “potential threats of further semiconductor related disruption, and economic data still soft, it will be interesting to see if the momentum can be maintained.”
