September sales down yet year to date sales remain positive

Canadian light vehicle sales in September recorded 173,460 units, down 0.5% from September 2015, which made this month the third consecutive month with sales decline. Light truck sales were up 3.5% to 115,278 units, while car sales dropped 7.6% to 58,182 units.

Japanese automakers’ sales as a group fell slightly 0.9% to 61,146 units on mixed results. Sales of passenger car dropped 11.6% to 25,283 units, while light truck sales remained strong, up 8.3% to 35,863 units. The growth leader of this month was Subaru Canada (+8.9%) followed by Honda Canada (+0.9%), Toyota Canada (-0.5%), Nissan Canada (-2.1%), Mitsubishi Motor Sales Canada (-6.2%) and Mazda Canada (-9.4%).

Jan-Sep YTD:

Through the first three quarters of 2016, light vehicle sales in Canada were up 3.2% to 1.507 million units. While passenger car sales continued to drop to 522,636 units, down 7.7%, the demand for light truck sales remained positive up 10.1% to 985,339 units which represents 65.3% of the total light vehicle sales.

All Japanese brands combined sales were up 4.3% to 522,820 units for the YTD with robust light truck sales, up 13.8% to 295,457 units, while car sales lagged 6.0% to 227,363 units. As a result, Japanese automakers total market share rose to 34.7% from 34.3% in 2015. Among member companies, Subaru Canada (6.1%), Honda Canada (+5.8%), Toyota Canada (5.3%), Nissan Canada (4.8%), and Mitsubishi Motor Sales Canada (4.7%) made positive gain, while Mazda Canada sales were down 4.8% despite the strongest light truck sales out of all members.

Second-Best August sales despite dip

New light vehicle sales in Canada dipped 2.0% in August representing two consecutive months of year-over-year declines since early 2013. While car sales dropped 9.2% to 58,645 units, light truck sales remained positive with a 2.3% gain to 113,389 units.

Sales of Japanese brands as a group in August increased 2.0% to 61,081 units. Light truck sales among JAMA Canada members soared 12.2% to 36,547 units, while car sales fell 10.2% to 24,534 units. Results among members were mixed in August: Subaru Canada was the growth leader with 34.8% sales gain followed by Honda Canada (+3.2%), Toyota Canada (+1.9%), Nissan Canada (-2.8%), Mazda Canada (-3.9%), and Mitsubishi Motor Sales of Canada (-11.4%) over August 2015.

Jan-Aug YTD:

The overall market in Canada increased 3.7% through the end of August to 1,334,515 units. Car sales have lagged 7.7% to 464,454 units, while light truck sales were up 11.1% to 870,061 units – a market share of 65.2%.

Japanese brand’s sales have grown 5.0% to 461,674 units for the YTD. Car sales were down 5.2% to 202,080 units and light truck sales jumped 14.6% to 259,594 units. This result improved market share for JAMA Canada members to 34.6% up 0.4 points compared to the same period last year.  Among member companies, Honda Canada (+6.5%), Mitsubishi Motor Sales of Canada (+6.3%), Toyota Canada (+6.1%), Nissan Canada (+5.8%), Subaru Canada (+5.7%) were in positive territory. All members’ light truck sales remained strong in 2016 YTD.

Sources: Global Automakers of Canada/JAMA Canada

New vehicle sales underperformed in July

Overall light vehicle sales in Canada lagged 2.6% to 173,304 units in July – the second month in 2016 to record a year-over-year decline. While car sales dropped 11.3% to 59,225 units, light truck sales remained positive, up 2.7% to 114,079 units.

As a group, Japanese brand sales totalled 58,407 units down 5.2% over July 2015. While car sales dropped 16.6% to 23,713 units, light truck sales continued to increase 4.6% to 34,693 units. Results among JAMA Canada member companies: Subaru Canada is the sole company that recorded positive gain (+ 4.1%) with single digit loss on car sales, while others’ sales underperformed with double digit losses on car sales.

Jan-Jul YTD:

Through the end of July, sales in Canada have increased 4.6% over all to 1,162,482 units. Light trucks continuously lead with robust sales up 12.5% to 756,672 units representing 65.1% of the Canadian market for the YTD, while passenger car sales dropped 7.5% to 405,809 units.

Japanese brand YTD sales rose 5.5% to 400,593 units on strong light truck demand as car sales dropped 4.5%, while truck sales jumped 15.0% compared to last year. In addition, JAMA Canada members’ market share stayed relatively flat at 34.5%, up 0.3 point for the YTD. Among JAMA Canada member companies, Mitsubishi Motor Sales Canada (+9.7%), Honda Canada (+7.1%), Nissan Canada (+7.1%), Toyota Canada (+6.8%), and Subaru Canada (+2.2%) were in positive territory. All members have recorded gains in light truck sales in 2016 YTD.

Sources: Global Automakers of Canada/JAMA Canada

The strongest June sales on record

Canadian new light vehicle sales in June marked a new all-time monthly sales record, up 7.4% total 191,088 units. Although passenger car sales dropped 2.9% to 66,494 units, sales of light trucks improved 13.9 % to 124,594 units.

Japanese brands combined sales rose 5.6% in June to 66,467 units on mixed results. Sales of passenger cars were slightly down 0.5% to 29,960 units, while light truck sales jumped 11.2% to 36,507 units. Among JAMA Canada members, Nissan Canada (+12.7%) was the growth leader in June followed by, Subaru Canada (+10.7%), Toyota Canada (+6.4%), and Honda Canada (+2.2%). Mazda Canada sales declined 2.2% despite their big gain from truck sales, while Mitsubishi Motor Sales Canada sales fell 4.0% in June.

Jan-Jun YTD:

Through the first half of 2016, light vehicle sales in Canada rose 6.0% to 989,177 units. Demand for light trucks continues to surpass passenger cars as truck sales grew 14.5% to 642,593 units, while 346,584 cars were sold in the first half, down 6.8% from 2015. Moreover, 65.0% of all vehicles sold were light trucks in the YTD, which resulted in a record market share for light trucks.

Japanese brands were up 7.5% YTD to 342,186 units, driven by robust truck sales, up 17.2% to 188,354 units, while car sales lagged 2.3% to 153,832 units. Although sales of vehicles built in North America continued to rise 5.6% to 263,150 units, it represents 76.9% share of total member sales, down 1.4 point from78.3% that were NA-built in 2015 YTD. Results were mixed among member companies: Mitsubishi Motor Sales Canada (+16.3%), Nissan Canada (+10.1%), Honda Canada (+9.5%), Toyota Canada (+8.0%), and Subaru Canada (+1.9%). Mazda Canada had softer sales (-1.9%) compared to last year. Japanese market share was 34.5% in the first half of 2015, up 0.5 point from 34.1% last year.

Source: Global Automakers of Canada/JAMA Canada

May year-over-year sales declined first time in 5 months

New light vehicle sales in Canada fell slightly in May, down 1.6% to 194,866 units. Passenger car sales dropped 12.7% to 73,011 units, while light truck sales gained 6.6% to 121,855 units.

Sales of Japanese brands stayed moderate to 67,552 units, up 0.9% in May on mixed results. Passenger car sales decreased 3.9% to 32,867 units, while light truck sales improved 6.0% in May to 34,685 units. Among member companies, the growth leader was Mitsubishi Motor Sales Canada with a sales gain of 6.5%, followed by Honda Canada (+4.5%), Nissan Canada (+1.7%), and Mazda Canada (+0.2%) compared to sales in May 2015. On the downside were Toyota Canada (-0.7%), Subaru Canada (-7.9%) over May 2015.

Jan-May YTD:

Through the end of May, cumulative sales in Canada were up 5.6% overall to 798,089 units. Robust light truck demand led the way as sales soared 14.6% to 517,999, while car sales softened 7.7% to 280,090 units. Light truck market share in Canada expanded to 64.9% from 59.8% compared to May 2015.

Japanese brand YTD sales rose 8.0% to 275,719 units, which increased overall market share to 34.5%, up 0.7 points compared to 2015. While car sales were down 2.8% to 123,872 units, combined sales of light trucks jumped 18.8% to 151,847 units. In addition, sales of vehicles built in North America rose 6.0% YTD to 211,524 units. Among member companies, Mitsubishi Motor Sales Canada (+21.3%), Honda Canada (+11.3%), Nissan Canada (+9.5%), and Toyota Canada (+8.4%) were in positive territory through the first five months of 2016. While others were lower overall, all members have recorded gains in light truck sales in 2016 YTD.

 Source: Global Automakers of Canada/JAMA Canada

Unprecedented number of light vehicles sold in April

Canadian new light vehicle sales marked a record-high month in April with 200,327 units, up 6.0% from 189,072 units in the same month last year.  Although passenger car sales continued to dip 8.4% to 72,574 units, sales of light truck soared 16.3% to 127,753 units compared to 109,814 units in April 2015.

All JAMA Canada member companies recorded positive gains in April. As a result, sales of new Japanese brands totalled 68,986 units, up 9.8%. While passenger car sales slightly declined 3.1% to 31,229 units, light trucks sales surged 23.4% to 37,757 units. The growth leader in April was Mitsubishi Canada (+32.0%) followed by Toyota Canada (+15.4%), Honda Canada (+7.4%), Nissan Canada (+6.9%), Subaru Canada (+3.8%), Mazda Canada (+2.2%).

Jan-Apr YTD:

Overall, Canadian light vehicle sales jumped 8.2% YOY to 603,223 units through the end of April which is the best YTD sales volume ever. Light truck sales were ahead 17.3% to 396,144 units, while car sales fell 5.9% to 207,079 units over 2015. The light truck share increased 5.1 points to 65.7% YTD.

Japanese brands combined sold 208,167 units, up 10.5% YTD driven by robust light truck sales, up 23.2% to 117,162 units, while car sales fell 2.3% to 91,005 units. Market share of JAMA Canada members was up to 34.5% from 33.8% for the YTD. Among member companies, Mitsubishi Motor Sales Canada (+26.3%), Honda Canada (+13.9%), Nissan Canada (+12.2%), and Toyota Canada (+11.7%) recorded double digit sales gains.

Source: Global Automakers of Canada/JAMA Canada

A new March light vehicle sales record

New light vehicle sales in Canada improved 9.3% over last year to a new March sales record of 175,142 units. While passenger car sales continued to drop 4.0% to 61,729 units, robust light truck sales totalled 113,413 units, up 18.2% from 95,952 in March last year.

Japanese brand sales as a group climbed 8.9% to 60,435 units in March. Sales of passenger cars dropped 2.1% to 27,026 units. Demand for light trucks jumped 19.6% to 33,409 units. Among JAMA Canada members, Mitsubishi Motor Sales Canada was the growth leader (+23.87%) followed by Toyota Canada (+13.6%), Nissan Canada (+12.7%), Honda Canada (+10.9%), Subaru Canada (+4.4%). Mazda Canada sales slid 14.0% on weak car sales compared to March 2015.

Jan-Mar YTD:

At the end of first quarter of 2016, Canadian light vehicle sales rose 9.3% to 402,896 units. Light truck sales jumped 17.8% to 268,391 units, while passenger car sales declined 4.4% to 134,505 units. Nearly 67% of all vehicles sold were light trucks in the YTD.

Japanese brands sales YTD were up 10.9% to 139,181 units led by strong truck sales, up 23.0% to 79,405 units, while car sales were down 1.9% to 59,776 units. JAMA Canada members’ market share was slightly up to 34.5% from 34.0% for the YTD. Among member companies, Mitsubishi Motor Sales Canada (+23.6%), Honda Canada (+17.5%), Nissan Canada (+14.5%) enjoyed a double sales digit gain.

Source: Global Automakers of Canada/JAMA Canada

Setting a new February sales record

Light vehicle sales in Canada remained positive in February up 9.1% to a record 119,201 units. Although passenger car sales dropped 5.5% to 38,950 units, strong light truck sales continued to rise 17.9% to 80,251 units.

Japanese auto makers’ sales as a group jumped 11.1 % to 40,913 units. Sales of light trucks continued to grow 27.1% to 23,880 units, while car sales fell 5.5% to 17,033 units. Among individual companies, Mitsubishi Motor Sales Canada was the growth leader (+30.7%) followed by Honda Canada (+15.4%), Nissan Canada (+13.8%), Toyota Canada (+9.9%), Mazda Canada (+3.4%). Subaru Canada sales slightly declined 1.7% compared to February 2015.

Jan-Feb YTD:

The overall Canadian market recorded positive growth up 9.3% to 227,754 units in the first two months in 2016. Light truck led the way as sales jumped 17.5% to 154,978 units, while passenger car sales dipped 4.7% to 72,776 units. The light truck share increased 4.7 points to 68.0% YTD.

Japanese brand sales were up 12.5 % YTD to 78,746 units driven by robust light truck sales up 25.6% to 45,996 units, while car sales lagged 1.8% to 32,750 units. JAMA Canada market share increased a point to 34.6% for the YTD. All JAMA Canada member companies recorded a positive gain: Honda Canada (+23.6%), Mitsubishi Motor Sales Canada (+23.5%), Nissan Canada (+15.8%), Toyota Canada (+7.4%), Mazda Canada (+4.4%), and Subaru Canada (+0.2%).

Source: Global Automakers of Canada/JAMA Canada Members

Canadian new light vehicle sales increased 9.6% to 108,553 units in the first month of 2016 –representing a SAAR of 1.94 million units, according to DesRosiers. The robust demand for light trucks soared 17.0% to 74,727 units, while passenger car sales fell 3.8% to 33,836 units.

Japanese brand sales altogether outperformed the market in January, with light duty sales up 14.1% to 37,833 units. Car sales slightly increased 2.6% to 15,717 units and light trucks jumped 24.0% to 22,116 units.

All JAMA members’ sales were in positive territory. Honda Canada (+32.6%), Nissan Canada (+18.0%), Mitsubishi Motor Sales Canada (+15.8%), Mazda Canada (+5.6%), Toyota Canada (+4.5%), and Subaru (+2.1%). Three members with double digit sales gains recorded increases in both cars and light trucks compared to January 2015. Overall market share for Japanese brands marked 34.9%, up 1.4 points from last January.

Source: Global Automakers of Canada/JAMA Canada Members

New sales records for 2015 despite softer light vehicle sales in December

Light vehicle sales in December declined 1.9% totalled 128,874 units compared to December 2014, which broke a 32 month streak of consecutive YOY increases. Strong light truck sales continued to rise 5.6% to 88,055 units, while passenger car sales dropped 15.0% to 40,819 units.

Japanese brand sales in December made a modest gain 2.3% to 43,917 units. Car sales continuously slipped 7.1% to 18,199 units, while light truck sales jumped 10.2% to 25,718 units. Among individual companies, Mazda Canada was the growth leader in December with a double digit gain of 20.3% YOY, followed by Nissan Canada (+16.5%), Subaru Canada (+7.6%), Toyota Canada (+5.5%). Mitsubishi Motor Sales Canada and Honda Canada sales fell 0.3% and 15.2% respectively in December.

2015 YTD:

The light vehicle market in Canada set a new record in 2015, rising 2.5% to 1.898 million units compared to the previous record in 2014. Sales of cars were down 6.3% to 715,719 units, while light truck sales jumped up 8.8% to 1,182,766 units. The truck share increased 3.6% to 62.3% in 2015. Lower gas price and interest rate were among the factors behind 2015’s sales performance.

Japanese brands combined sold a record 656,233 units, a gain of 4.9% over last year, which made 2015 another record-breaking year. Although car sales fell 7.1% to 306,600 units, truck sales rose 18.3% to 349,633 units. Trucks outsold cars for the first time in 2015 by 43,033 units. Moreover, 78.0% of total Japanese sales in 2015 were vehicles built in North America. (78.7% of cars, and 77.4% of trucks were NA built), up from 74.6% in 2014 (71.4% of cars, and 78.3% of light trucks were NA built). Overall market share for Japanese brands in 2015 increased to 34.6% from 33.8% in 2014.

Individually, JAMA Canada members’ sales results were mixed: 3 members set new records in 2015: Nissan Canada (+12.6%) to 129,976 units, Subaru Canada (+10.9%) to 46,609 units, and Honda (+2.9%) to 177,506 units. The volume leader in 2015 was Toyota Canada (+4.1%) to 209,409 units.

Source: Global Automakers of Canada/JAMA Canada Members