Canadian new light vehicle sales declined across nearly every province in April, highlighting what industry analysts describe as broad-based economic weakness and slowing consumer demand.
According to provincial sales estimates released by DesRosiers Automotive Consultants (DAC), total Canadian new light vehicle sales reached about 178,000 units in April, down 3.9 per cent from the 186,000 units sold during the same month in 2025. Year-to-date sales totalled roughly 584,000 units, a decline of 4.2 per cent compared with the same period last year.
“The breadth of the sales decreases is certainly concerning,” said Andrew King, Managing Partner at DAC, in a statement. “With the coast-to-coast nature of the market malaise typical of periods of inherent economic weakness and consumer retrenchment.
Nova Scotia was the only province to record a year-over-year increase in April, with sales rising an estimated 3.4 per cent. Newfoundland and Labrador posted the steepest percentage decline, with sales falling 12.0 per cent from April 2025 levels.
From a volume standpoint, Quebec experienced the largest decrease, down nearly 2,000 units year over year. Alberta and British Columbia followed closely behind, each declining by nearly 1,500 units compared with April last year. But despite the monthly decline, Quebec remained marginally ahead on a year-to-date basis, posting a slight 0.1 per cent increase over 2025 levels. Every other province remained below last year’s pace through the first four months of 2026.
The April results continue a soft start to 2026 for Canada’s auto sector as affordability pressures, higher borrowing costs and economic uncertainty weigh on vehicle demand nationwide.
