(French text follows the English)     

NEWS   from  JAMA Canada  

                                                                          

JAMA Canada launches campaign in support of the Canada – Japan EPA

November 5, 2012 – On behalf of the 68,000 Canadians employed directly or indirectly in the manufacture, export, import, distribution, sale or service of Japanese brand vehicles in Canada, the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association of Canada kicked off a national advocacy and communications campaign in support of a bilateral free trade agreement between Canada and Japan.  

“We support a Canada-Japan EPA to deepen our bilateral commercial relations, and to create collaborative opportunities between Canadian and Japanese business. With bilateral negotiations about to formally start later this month in Tokyo, JAMA Canada is enthusiastic for bilateral and multilateral initiatives to liberalize trade, a key ingredient in economic growth for both Canada and Japan.”, said David Worts, Executive Director of JAMA Canada.
 
For many years, JAMA Canada and its members have been strong advocates of liberalized trade and open borders, particularly as the auto industry in Canada continues to depend heavily on trade along with local and global supply chains, and as the Canadian Government pursues free trade negotiations with the European Union and South Korea, both significant auto producing and exporting jurisdictions. JAMA Canada has produced a new publication to put accurate facts on the record titled “Free Trade Drives Growth & Prosperity”, which is available for download at www.jama.ca.

Since 1993, Canada has been a net exporter of Japanese brand vehicles. Last year, exports of vehicles made in Canada were more than triple the number of imports from Japan. And while two out of every three Japanese vehicles sold in Canada are now made in North America, there is still a need to import vehicles from Japan to meet the varied transportation needs of Canadian consumers. Finally, a bilateral trade agreement with Japan would help to maintain and grow employment in the automotive sector.  

JAMA Canada is a non-profit trade association with eight members representing subsidiaries of Japanese automakers in Canada, and was established in 1984 to promote greater understanding in trade and economic matters between Canada and Japan. 

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For more information:

Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association of Canada
David Worts, Executive Director
Tel: 416-968-0150
Email: dworts@jama.ca

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COMMUNIQUÉ  de  JAMA Canada

   

JAMA Canada lance une campagne d’appui en faveur d’un accord de partenariat économique entre le Canada et le Japon

Le 5 novembre 2012 – Au nom des 68 000 Canadiens œuvrant, directement ou indirectement, dans les secteurs de la fabrication, l’exportation, l’importation, la distribution, la vente ou le service de véhicules de marques japonaises au Canada, l’Association des constructeurs automobiles du Japon au Canada a lancé une campagne de communications visant à appuyer l’accord de libre-échange bilatéral entre le Canada et le Japon.

« Nous appuyons la ratification d’un accord departenariat économique entre le Canada et le Japon pour renforcer nos relations commerciales bilatérales et créer des occasions de collaboration entre les entreprises canadiennes et japonaises. Alors que les négociations bilatérales débuteront officiellement en fin de mois à Tokyo, JAMA Canada est optimiste à l’idée d’appuyer des initiatives bilatérales et multilatérales visant à libéraliser les échanges, un ingrédient clé de la croissance économique tant pour le Canada que pour le Japon », a affirmé M. David Worts, directeur général de JAMA Canada.

Depuis des années, JAMA Canada et ses membres sont d’ardents militants des échanges libéralisés et de l’ouverture des frontières. En effet, l’industrie automobile canadienne continue de dépendre largement des échanges et des chaînes d’approvisionnement locales et internationales, et le gouvernement canadien poursuit également des négociations de libre-échange avec l’Union européenne et la Corée du Sud, d’importants fabricants et exportateurs automobiles. Dans le but de fournir des faits avérés concernant le dossier, JAMA Canada a produit une nouvelle publication intitulée « Free Trade Drives Growth & Prosperity » (Le libre-échange stimule la croissance et la prospérité), qui peut être téléchargée sur www.jama.ca.

Le Canada est un exportateur net de véhicules demarques japonaises depuis 1993. L’an dernier, le nombre de véhicules exporté fabriqués au Canada représentait plus de trois fois le nombre véhicules importés en provenance du Japon. De plus, bien que deux véhicules japonais sur trois vendus au Canada sont fabriqués en Amérique du Nord, il est toujours nécessaire d’importer des véhicules du Japon afin de répondre aux divers besoins des consommateurs canadiens en matière de transport. Enfin, un accord d’échange bilatéral avec le Japon contribuerait à maintenir et à stimuler l’emploi dans le secteur automobile. 

JAMA Canada est une association sans but lucratif composée de huit membres représentant les filiales des constructeurs automobiles japonais au Canada. Elle a été établie en 1984 pour promouvoir une meilleure compréhension des sujets commerciaux et économiques entre le Canada et le Japon.

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Pour obtenir davantage de renseignements :

Association des constructeurs automobiles du Japon au Canada
David Worts, directeur général
Tél. : 416-968-0150
Courriel : dworts@jama.ca 

Japanese sales expand overall in September

Sept 2012:

Sales of all light vehicles in Canada continued upward in September with a gain of 6.4% to 143,143 units. According to Dennis DesRosiers, “Interestingly, all the increase in September was on the passenger car side of the market, up 15.0 percent while the light truck side was dead flat. This explains some of the underperformance of Detroit brands last month; Detroit product portfolios are much stronger on the light truck side of the market than the car side, so when passenger cars sell well the import brands show better performance.“

Sales among Japanese brands jumped 12.8% in September to 47,615 units. Illustrating Dennis’ point, car sales spiked 17.3% to 27,321 units, while light truck sales grew 7.1% to 20,294 units among all JAMA Canada members. Five members recorded double digit increases in September led by Suzuki (up 30.1%) including Toyota, Subaru, Honda and Mazda. Mitsubishi sales were flat, while Nissan sales were down over Sept 2011.

Jan – Sept YTD:

Sales during the first three quarters of 2012 in Canada were up 6.6% to 1.305 million units from the previous year. Car sales improved 9.5% to 595,484 units, while light truck deliveries rose less than half that rate, up 4.4% to 710,054 units.

Japanese brand sales have led the recovery with a 15.2% gain to 421,936 units, up more than 55,000 units YOY. Toyota, Honda and Subaru all recorded double digit improvement for the YTD, up 24.6%, 24.3% and 11.2% respectively. Mazda sales were 7.5% higher, while Nissan, Suzuki and Mitsubishi were down slightly over 2011. JAMA Canada members’ market share for the YTD stands at 32.3%, up from 29.9% in 2011.

Sales – September 2012

Source: AIAMC / JAMA Canada members

Overall Japanese sales up 18% in August

Sales of new light vehicles rose 6.4% in August over the same month last year to 149,301 units. Passenger car sales led the way rising 8.7% to 66,077 units, while light trucks improved 4.6% to 83,224 units.

Japanese brand sales altogether outperformed the market with an 18.0% gain to 48,910 units compared to last year.

Among individual JAMA Canada members, Subaru sales jumped 43.9%, Honda followed closely up 43.7%, Toyota sales rose 25.3%, Suzuki sales improved 15.1%, Mazda was up 3.7% and Nissan passenger car sales rose 23.8% in August.

YTD Results:

For the first eight months of 2012, light vehicle sales in Canada have increased 6.7% over 2011 to 1.16 million units. Sales of passenger cars have risen 8.8% to 529,782 units, while light duty trucks were up 4.9% to 632,613 units.

Sales of Japanese brand vehicles rose 15.5% for the YTD to 374,321 units, which represents a market share of 32.2%, up from 29.7% in the same period last year. Results among JAMA Canada members were somewhat mixed for the YTD:  Honda & Toyota were up in double digits, while Subaru and Mazda recorded single digit gains. Nissan was relatively unchanged overall, but recorded strong gains in light trucks. Mitsubishi was slightly lower in total sales, but recorded growth in sales of passenger cars compared to 2011.

Sales – August 2012

Source: AIAMC / JAMA Canada members

Buoyant sales continue in July

New light vehicle sales in Canada rose 4.7% in July to 148,184 units, led entirely by strong demand for light trucks which grew 8.6% to 84,840 units while passenger car sales dipped slightly, down 0.1% to 63,344 units.

Sales gains in Canada were led by Japanese automakers, whose combined results jumped 10.5% to 43,263 units.

Among JAMA Canada members, Toyota, Honda and Subaru all displayed strong sales in July, up 30.0%, 26.8% and 23.3% respectively. Suzuki and Mazda were both up in single digits, 9.8% and 1.2% respectively. Overall, Japanese brand car sales were up 3.7% in July to 24,894 units, while light truck sales jumped 21.2% to 18,369 units.

YTD:

The total Canadian market through the end of July has increased 6.7% over 2011 to 1,013,094 units. Passenger car sales were up 8.8% to 463,705 units, while light truck results improved 5.0% to 549,389 units.

Although YTD results are mixed for JAMA Canada members, overall Japanese brand light vehicle sales have led the Canadian market growth during the first seven months of 2012, gaining 15.1% to 325,411 units. This represents a gain in market share from 29.8% in 2011 to 32.1% in the current year.

Sales – July 2012

Source: AIAMC / JAMA Canada member sales

Growing Japanese brand sales lead the way in June

Sales of light vehicles hit a new all-time record in Canada for the month of June, up 2.8% to 169,459 units, slightly ahead of the previous peak in 2007. Deliveries of passenger cars rose 2.7% to 78,903 units, while light trucks improved 2.9% to 90,556 units. Buoyant sales drove the annualized selling rate up to 1.7 million in June according to analysis from Scotiabank.

For Japanese automakers, combined light vehicle sales in June were up 24.3% to 54,955 units leading the industry growth for the month. Among JAMA Canada members: Toyota sales soared 66.6%, Honda sales jumped 41.5%, Suzuki was up 10.9%, Mitsubishi was up 9.3%, Subaru was up 3.7% and Mazda was up 3.4% over June last year.

Year to Date (Jan-June):

For the first half of 2012, the Canadian light vehicle market was up 7.1% to 864,911 units. Sales of cars grew 10.4% to 400,362 units, while light trucks were up 4.4% to 464,549 units.

Japanese brands have led growth in the Canadian market for the first six months, as sales have increased at more than twice the market rate, up 15.9% to 282,148 units, representing a market share of 32.6%, up from 30.1% last year. Among JAMA Canada members, Toyota and Honda were the growth leaders, up 24.1% and 22.3% respectively, followed by Nissan and Mazda, up 8.1% and 8.0% respectively, and Subaru with a YOY gain of 3.7% for the first half of 2012. Mitsubishi sales were virtually unchanged from 2011.

Sales – June 2012

Source: AIAMC / JAMA Canada members

Sales in Canada – May 2012

Light vehicle sales roared back in May up 17.9% overall to 175,716 units, the best results for May since 2008. Passenger car sales jumped 21.0% to 84,006 units, while light truck sales rose 15.2% to 91,710 units.

Japanese brand sales led the way with a 37.4% gain to 54,836 units in May, while US automakers sales rose 12.3% to 80,879 units, Korean automakers’ sales gained 8.7% to 22,709 units, and European automakers’ sales increased 6.7% to 17,292 units in May.

Almost all JAMA Canada members reported sales gains in May – Acura (up 52.6%), Honda (up 37.5%), Infiniti (up 76.8%), Lexus (up 41.5%), Mazda (up 7.3%), Mitsubishi (up 7.8%), Nissan (up 33.9%), Subaru (up 8.8%), and Toyota (up 66.8%).

YTD:

For the first five months of 2012, Canadian light vehicle sales were up 8.2% to 695,452 units. Passenger cars rose 12.5% to 321,459 units, while light truck sales gained 4.7% over 2011 to 373,993 units.

Japanese brand sales YTD were ahead 14.0% over last year to 227,193 units, with car sales up 16.3% and light truck sales up 10.9% YOY. Market share of JAMA Canada members rose to 32.7% from 31.0% in 2011.

Sales – May 2012

 

 Source: AIAMC / JAMA Canada members

April sales pause on strong results a year ago

New light vehicle sales fell in April for the first month since September 2011, sliding 1.4% to 157,777 units. Sales of passenger cars rose marginally 0.9% to 76,368 units, while light truck sales dipped 3.4% in April to 81,409 units. According to DesRosiers, the SAAR fell below 1.6 million for the first time this year.

For JAMA Canada members, overall sales declined 3.5% in April to 49,972 units, with all companies in negative territory except Honda Canada, whose sales rose 4.3% in the month. Some analysts have suggested that in the aftermath of the earthquake and tsunami, sales were strong in April 2011 as consumers were eager to pick up new vehicles while inventories were available, knowing production cutbacks would be inevitable.

Results for the Year to Date:

Light vehicle sales in Canada have risen 5.2% through the first four months of 2012 to 519,736 units. Passenger cars were up 9.7% to 237,453 units, while light trucks gained slightly up 1.7% to 282,283 units.

For Japanese automakers, YTD sales have improved by 8.1% over 2011 to a total of 172,357 units. Retail car deliveries rose 11.3% to 100,275 units, while light truck sales gained 4.0% to 72,082 units. With somewhat mixed results, all but two JAMA Canada members were ahead of last year. Honda Canada was the growth leader rising 13.4% in the first four months to 44,594 units, and Toyota Canada held the sales lead up 6.5% to 59,118 units. Japanese share of the light vehicle market increased to 33.2% from 32.3% last year as a result of outperforming the market.

Sales – April 2012

Source: AIAMC / JAMA Canada members

 

Sales gains continue in March & 1st Quarter

Overall, March sales of light duty vehicles came in at near record pre-recession levels, rising modestly 2.8% to 157,750 units compared to March 2011. The gain was driven by demand for passenger cars, as sales rose 6.5% to 73,645 units, while light truck sales dipped 0.3% to 84,105 units in March.

Results were up for Japanese brands in March, gaining 2.3% to 53,593 units on a combined basis. Sales of passenger cars edged up 0.5% to 30,961 units, while light truck deliveries improved 4.9% to 22,632 units.

Among JAMA Canada members, Mazda Canada was the growth leader with sales up 34.4% to 7,779 units. Nissan Canada sales were up 10.1% in March, while Mitsubishi Motor Sales Canada and Subaru Canada were up with single digit gains. At the same time, Honda truck sales rose 11.5% and Toyota car sales improved 13.4% compared to March 2011.

1st Q 2012:

While the first two months were notable for double digit gains in Canada, sales improved in March but at lower rate, with the result that first quarter sales were ahead by 8.4% over 2011 to 361,959 units in the first quarter of 2012. Passenger cars sales rose 14.8% in the 1stQ to 161,085, while light truck sales increased 3.9% to 200,874 units.

Japanese brand light vehicle sales gained 13.7% to 122,385 units through the end of March as passenger car sales rose 17.2% to 70,051 units and light truck sales improved 9.4% to 52,334 units. Honda, Toyota, Mazda and Nissan were all up with double digit gains, while Subaru and Mitsubishi had single digit increases compared to the first quarter of 2011. Market share of JAMA Canada members stands at 33.8%, up from 32.2% in 2011.

Sales – March 2012

Source: AIAMC / JAMA Canada members
 

JAMA Canada wholeheartedly supports the launch of formal negotiations between the Government of Canada and the Government of Japan towards a comprehensive economic partnership agreement announced today in Tokyo.
 
“This announcement, which follows the release of the Joint Study a few weeks ago, is a very welcome development for our members in Canada, particularly as the Canadian Government pursues free trade negotiations with South Korea and the European Union, both significant auto producing and exporting jurisdictions”, said David Worts, Executive Director of JAMA Canada.
 
“Moreover, we support a Canada-Japan EPA to deepen our bilateral commercial relations, and to create collaborative opportunities between Canadian and Japanese business in Asia and around the world”, added Mr. Worts.

For many years, JAMA Canada has been a strong advocate of liberalized trade and open borders, particularly as the auto industry in Canada continues to depend heavily on trade along with local and global supply chains.

Since 1993, Canada has been a net exporter of Japanese brand vehicles. Last year, exports of vehicles made in Canada were more than triple the number of imports from Japan. And while two out of every three Japanese vehicles sold in Canada are now made in North America, there is still a need to import vehicles from Japan to meet the varied transportation needs of Canadian consumers.

Finally, a bilateral trade agreement with Japan would help to maintain and grow employment.  Open trade would sustain a positive environment for over 67,000 Canadians employed directly or indirectly in the manufacture, export, import, distribution, sale or service of Japanese brand vehicles in Canada.

JAMA Canada is a non-profit trade association with eight members representing subsidiaries of Japanese automakers in Canada, and was established in 1984 to promote greater understanding in trade and economic matters between Canada and Japan.

JAMA Canada applauds the continuing collaboration in auto-related research and development between the Federal Government, the auto industry in Canada and Canadian universities for projects supported by Automotive Partnership Canada.
 
“This announcement today in support of six new projects focused on developing new technologies in light materials and enhancing battery efficiency in motor vehicles is an encouraging sign that collaborative R&D initiatives continue to be an important part of maintaining competitiveness in an increasingly global industry”, said David Worts, Executive Director of JAMA Canada.
 
“Quite simply, a growing number of countries are actively developing advanced technologies for motor vehicles.  Collaborative research can play a critical role to help maintain an economically vibrant, environmentally friendly and globally competitive auto industry in Canada”, added Mr. Worts.
 
JAMA Canada is a non-profit trade association representing subsidiaries of Japanese automakers in Canada, and was established in 1984 to promote greater understanding in trade and economic matters between Canada and Japan.

Japanese brand sales continue to climb for 4th month in a row

Sales of light vehicles in Canada remained strong in February, up 11.2% to 106,712 units, the best month since 2008 and the second consecutive month tracking above 1.7 million annualized sales in Canada. Passenger car sales gained 17.1% to 46,285 units, while light trucks rose 7.0% to 60,427 units in February compared to 2011.

All JAMA Canada members sales in February were in positive territory, and all but two members reported double digit growth. Combined Japanese brand sales rose 18.8% in February to 36,284 units. Suzuki Canada was the growth leader, up 32.1%, followed by Toyota up 30.6% in February. Subaru and Mitsubishi reported single digit gains of 7.8% and 1.4% respectively. Honda, Mazda and Nissan were in between with sales gains of 13.8%, 13.6% and 17.3% respectively.

YTD Results:

Overall, the market in Canada has grown 13.1% for the YTD to 204,209 units of light duty vehicles. Passengers cars have led the recovery, rising 22.2% to 87,440 units, as light trucks improved 7.2% to 116,769 units.

With four consecutive months of robust demand, Japanese brand sales in Canada have risen 24.5% in the first two months of 2012 to 68,792 units. While all JAMA Canada members are in positive territory, three members have double digit gains (Honda: +52.3%; Toyota: +24.4%; Nissan: +20.0%) over 2011. All other members have improved with single digit gains.

Sales of Japanese brand passenger cars jumped 35.0% to 39,090 units, while light truck sales improved 13.0% to 29,702 units compared to last year. Market share for Japanese brands rose as a result to 33.7% from 30.6% in the first two months of 2011.

Sales – February 2012

Source: AIAMC /JAMA Canada members
 

Sales accelerated in January

New vehicle sales in Canada hit the accelerator in January, rising 15.4% to 97,497 units for all brands — the best January results since 2008. Passenger car sales soared 28.4% to 41,155 units, while light trucks gained 7.4% to 56,342 units compared to January 2011.

Japanese automakers as a group outperformed the market as sales jumped 31.6% to 32,508 light vehicles. Car sales rose 43.4% to 18,730 units, while light trucks improved 18.5% to 13,778 units. Sales of vehicles built in North America soared 44.7% to 21,727 units, while imports from Japan rose 11.4% to 10,781 units.

Market share of Japanese brands gained over 4 points to 33.3% from 29.2% in January 2011. All but one JAMA Canada members were in positive territory, led by Honda Canada with a gain of 126.9%, more than doubling their sales from last year. Nissan Canada and Toyota Canada were both up in double digits, 23.4% and 17.8% respectively and setting records for the month. Mazda Canada, Subaru Canada and Mitsubishi Motor Sales Canada recorded single digit gains.

Sales – January 2012

Source: AIAMC / JAMA Canada members

Japanese brand sales up 10.2% in December

December:

Light vehicle sales in Canada grew 2.8% in December to 114,557 cars and light trucks, the third consecutive modest monthly gain. While passenger car sales were relatively flat, up marginally 0.2% to 45,985 units, light truck sales rose 4.2% to 68,572 units continuing the gains seen throughout 2011 as consumer demand has shifted in favour of light trucks, particularly ’cross-over’ vehicles.

December was an important month for Japanese automakers looking for concrete signs of a growing recovery from the natural disasters in Japan and Thailand, building on the 9.7% sales improvement in the previous month. While sales were mixed overall, as a group JAMA Canada members’ light vehicle sales jumped 10.2% in December to 41,358 units, representing a 36.1% share of the market.

Among individual companies, Toyota, Nissan and Mitsubishi were all ahead with double digit gains, while Subaru was up in single digit territory — Toyota Canada sales were up 41.5%, Nissan Canada up 32.9%, Mitsubishi up 18.6% and Subaru up 6.2% compared to December 2010. Japanese brand passenger car sales rose 6.8% in December, while sales of light trucks jumped 14.9% YOY.

YTD 2011:

The light market in Canada rose a modest 1.8% in 2011 to 1,585,519 units, up almost 28,400 units over 2010. However, market demand in 2011 clearly shifted towards light trucks reflected in both market share and sales increases. Light truck sales grew 4.7% to 891,784 units, while passenger car sales slipped 1.6% to 693,735 units. The light truck share rose to 56.2% in 2011.

Japanese brand light vehicle sales fell 7.3% to 492,354 units in 2011 as automakers struggled to recover from the disasters in Japan and Thailand. Passenger car sales dropped 12.9% to 283,783 units, while light truck sales rose 1.6% to 208,571 units.

Individual company results were mixed – both Mitsubishi and Nissan were up over last year, 5.2% and 2.0% respectively. Sales of vehicles built in North America and Japan were down (7.1% and 7.8% respectively), however sales of trucks built in Japan rose 13.3% due to rising import Japan truck sales at Mazda, Nissan and Mitsubishi. In terms of market share, Japanese share was 31.1% in 2011, down from 34.1% in 2010 and 37.8% in 2009.

Sales – December 2011

Source: AIAMC / JAMA Canada members