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Trade Policy

Commentary – CPTPP: A new & timely trade agreement for Canada

November 20, 2017

Setting aside the mixed messages in news reports coming out of Vietnam on the sidelines of the recent APEC summit, Canada seems to have embraced the transformation of the Trans-Pacific Partnership, now renamed the CPTPP (Comprehensive and Progressive TPP). Although expectations were high going into the leaders’ meeting in Da Nang for an agreement in principle, all parties managed to reach an agreement on "core elements" of the new CPTPP, leaving a few issues for further negotiations.

Clearly time was of the essence; but as trade negotiators remind us, "Nothing is agreed until everything is agreed." Although smaller in scope, the fact remains that the CPTPP is still an ambitious, complex and modern trade agreement. This is a significant opportunity. Completing the CPTPP will also send a strong signal to the international community that multilateral or regional trade agreements are alive and well. What’s more, the welcome mat is still there for other countries to join the party.

The members of the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association of Canada support diversified trade liberalization for the mutual benefits which accrue to all trade signatories from enhanced business opportunities, as well as advantages for consumers. As global value chains forge stronger economic linkages with major trading partners, we urge Canada to continue pursuing diversified trade initiatives in Asia-Pacific with the CPTPP, building on the provisional implementation of the Canada-European Union trade agreement (CETA) and the fully implemented Canada-Korea free-trade agreement.

The CPTPP, according to a recent analysis by the Canada West Foundation, will offer expanding trade and business opportunities for Canadian exporters in Asia-Pacific, including a first-mover advantage particularly with respect to the Japanese market. While the study claims the impact on the auto sector would be neutral, we believe the CPTPP also offers the opportunity to boost production and exports from Canadian plants with preferential access to CPTPP markets, especially Japan.

Put simply, finalization of the CPTPP will put an end to the unfairness that Japanese auto makers in Canada, whose manufacturing footprint has been long-standing and continues to grow, have faced vis-à-vis automakers from other countries that do not manufacture in Canada. Moreover, tariff phase-outs on motor vehicles are important and timely as they will restore a level playing field that was lost for Japanese auto makers in Canada after the Canadian government signed trade deals with South Korea and, most recently, Europe.

With respect to automotive rules of origin, we believe flexible, predictable, simple and forward-looking rules of origin for autos in the CPTPP will reflect the realities of current global supply chains.

As most auto makers embrace "just-in-time" or lean manufacturing, as well as a business philosophy of "build where we sell" in close proximity with key suppliers, the auto-parts industry in Canada does well when auto makers’ plants in Canada are strong and have flexible rules that allow them to compete globally.

Honda’s Alliston, Ont., plant is now the global lead for the new Civic, and Toyota’s recent reinvestment in the Lexus RX plant as well as future investment in RAV4 production in their North and West plants illustrate this reality. Moreover, as supplier relationships have steadily grown over the past 30 years, competitive Canadian suppliers will continue to benefit.

Currently, only U.S. and Japanese auto makers are manufacturing light-duty motor vehicles in Canada for both domestic and export markets. As U.S. auto makers in Canada have had the benefit of duty-free treatment particularly from their home market since the 1965 Auto Pact, Canada should also extend the same duty-free treatment to Japanese auto makers in Canada, who now represent 43 per cent of total light-vehicle production in Canada.

And it’s not just about "cheaper" imported vehicles. This will also send a positive message to Japanese auto makers with significant investment in Canadian manufacturing, as well as sales and service operations that have created 80,000 direct and indirect jobs. This growing commitment to Canada supports gainful employment for over 200,000 across Canada as a result of spin-off effects from local manufacturing operations, as well as over 1,230 dealerships from coast to coast.

Bottom line: The CPTPP agreement will finally and effectively create a balanced and competitive auto market in Canada, and allow Canadian consumers competitive access to a wider range of safe, environmentally friendly, advanced technology and alternative powertrain vehicles.

 

Miscellaneous

October 2017 Sales

November 10, 2017

October 2017 Sales

The record-setting sales pace continued with 6.3% to 164,214 units which is the monthly record for October. Although passenger car sales declined 7.9% to 48,797 units, light truck’s sales soared 13.6% to 115,417 units. Another great month for light vehicle sales in Canada.

All JAMA Canada members showed positive results in October. Passenger car sales were down 2.4% to 22,807 units while light truck sales continued to rise 11.9% to 39,370 units.  The growth leader of the month was Mitsubishi Motor Sales of Canada (+10.3%), followed by Nissan Canada (+9.4%), Toyota Canada (+8.9%), Mazda Canada (+6.2%), Subaru Canada (+ 2.6%) and Honda Canada (+2.0%).

YTD:  JAN – OCT

Through the end of October, Canadian light vehicle sales rose 5.6% to1,755,898 units. Passenger car slipped 2.2% to 563,075 units, however, light truck sales continued to grow with 9.7% up to 1,192,823 units which showed 67.9 % of the market share.

Japanese brands YTD sales rose 7.0% to 621,850 units. Sales of passenger car slightly rose 1.7% to 254,977 units while strong demand for light trucks increased sales by 11.0% to 366,873 units. Overall Japanese brands share rose to 35.4% for the YTD. Among JAMA Canada member companies, Nissan Canada (+ 9.6%) was the leader of the month, followed by Subaru Canada (+9.2%), Honda Canada (+8.2%), Mazda Canada (+7.9%), Toyota Canada (+3.9%), and Mitsubishi Motor Sales of Canada (+2.9%). 

 

Miscellaneous

September 2017 Sales

October 10, 2017

Sales in September 2017

September sales of new light vehicle increased 7.7% to 186,837 units over last year. Light truck sales had robust demand, soared 12.5% to 129,731 units while passenger car sales fell 1.8% to 57,106 units. The industry in on track to top a record of two million sales for the entire year.

Japanese automakers’ sales as a group in September jumped 10.8% to 67,720 units. Both passenger car and light truck sales went up, 3.0% to 26,048 units and 16.2% to 41,672 units respectively. Four out of six members had double digit gains: Toyota Canada (+14.5%) was the growth leader this month, followed by Mazda Canada (+14.4%), Nissan Canada (+14.3%), Subaru Canada (+11.5%), Mitsubishi Motor Sales of Canada (+6.8%), and Honda Canada (+3.3%).

YTD (Jan – Sep)

Through the first three quarters of 2017, Canadian light vehicle sales rose 5.6% to 1,591,684 units. Light trucks lead with steady growth, up 9.3% to 1,077,406 units representing 67.7% share of the Canadian market, while passenger car sales dropped 1.6% to 514,278 units in the YTD.

Both passenger car and light truck sales increased for JAMA Canada members, up 7.0% overall to 559,673 units, which increased market share slightly to 35.2 % over last year. Passenger car sales rose 2.1 % to 232,170 units and light truck sales gained 10.8% to 327,503 units. All JAMA Canada members’ sales were up over 2016 for the YTD: Subaru Canada (+10.0%), Nissan Canada (+9.6%), Honda Canada (+9.0%), Mazda Canada (+8.1%), Toyota Canada (+3.4%) and Mitsubishi Motor Sales of Canada (+2.1%).

 

Miscellaneous

August 2017 Sales

September 08, 2017

August 2017 Sales

Canadian new vehicle sales in August were up 6.9 % to 183,945 units, against an already strong August last year. Light truck sales kept growing, with a double digit increase of 10.1% to 124,849 units, while passenger car sales improved 0.8% to 59,096 units compared to last year.

JAMA Canada member companies had a steady sales gain in August, up 7.4% to 65,586 units. Passenger car sales jumped 9.1% to 26,759 units and light truck sales gained 6.2% to 38,827 units. Nissan Canada had a robust increase of 14.4%, leading all other companies, followed by Subaru Canada (+9.7%), both Mazda Canada and Toyota Canada increased 7.5%, Honda Canada (+2.9%), and Mitsubishi Motor Sales of Canada (-0.3%).

JAN – AUG YTD

Overall, sales of light vehicles in Canada grew 5.3% to 1,404,847 units by the end of August. Although passenger car sales declined 1.6% to 457,172 units, strong demand for light trucks continued to boost sales, up 8.9% to 947,675 units. New light truck share in Canada stands at 67.5%, up over 2 points from 2016 YTD.

Both passenger car and light truck sales increased for Japanese automakers, up 6.6% overall to 491,953 units, representing a 35.0% market share.  Passenger car sales rose 2.0% to 206,122 units, while light truck sales outperformed, up 10.1% to 285,831 units. All JAMA Canada member companies had positive YTD results: Subaru Canada and Honda Canada tied at 9.8% growth, followed by Nissan Canada (+9.0%), Mazda Canada (+7.2%), Toyota Canada (+2.0%), and Mitsubishi Motor Sales of Canada (+1.5%).


 

Miscellaneous

July 2017 Sales

August 04, 2017

July 2017 Sales

Canadian light vehicle sales in July set another year-over- year increase, up 4.9% to 181,834 units.  This year, six out of the seven months have been setting new sales records. Light truck sales gained 8.3% to 123,603 units while passenger car sales were down 1.7% to 58,231 units.

All JAMA Canada member companies had relatively robust growth in July over last year. Both passenger car and light truck sales rose 9.0% to 25,859 units and 8.3% to 37,557 units respectively. The growth leader was Mitsubishi Motor Sales Canada (+29.9% ), followed by Mazda Canada (+11.5%), Nissan Canada (+10.7%), Honda Canada (+9.9%), Subaru Canada (+5.8%), Toyota Canada (+3.8%).

YTD: Jan – Jul 2017

Through the end of July, sales in Canada have increased 5.0% over all to 1,220,902 units. Light trucks lead with steady growth up 8.7% to 822,826 units, representing 67.4% of the Canadian market for the YTD, while passenger car sales dropped 1.9% to 398,076 units.

Japanese brands YTD sales rose 6.4% to 426,368 units. Sales of passenger car slightly increased 1.0% to 179,363 units, while strong demand for light trucks increased sales by 10.7% to 247,004 units. Overall Japanese brand share rose to 34.9% for the YTD.  Among JAMA Canada member companies, Honda Canada was the growth leader (+10.9%), followed by Subaru Canada (+9.8%), Nissan Canada (+8.2%), Mazda Canada (+7.2%), Mitsubishi Motor Sales of Canada (+1.8%), Toyota Canada (+1.2%).


 

Miscellaneous

June 2017 Sales

July 10, 2017

New Record Sales in Canada – June 2017

Total light vehicle sales were 203,486 units in Canada, the first time over 200,000 vehicles were sold in the month of June.  Passenger car sales remained relatively flat, up 0.1% to 66,440 units, while light truck sales increased 10.0% to 137,046 units. Except April, sales thus far in 2017 have been record-setting each month.

All JAMA Canada members showed positive results in June. Passenger car sales rose 1.6% to 30,425 units, while light truck sales soared 16.2 % to 42,437 units, resulting in combined sales of 72,862 units up 9.6 % over last year. The growth leader this month was Honda Canada (+13.9%), followed by Nissan Canada (+13.2%), Mitsubishi Motor Sales of Canada (+9.4%), Toyota Canada (+6.5%), Subaru Canada (+6.1%), and Mazda Canada (+4.0%).

Jan – Jun YTD

Light vehicle sales in Canada surpassed 1 million units by the first half of the year 2017, setting a new record sales pace at 1,039,068 units delivered YTD. Passenger car sales dropped 2.0 % to 339,845 units, while light truck sales rose 8.8% to 699,223 units. The light truck share increased to 67.3% as a result.

As a group, Japanese automakers’ sales improved 6.1% YTD to 362,951 units. Passenger car sales slightly dropped (-0.2%) to 153,504 units, while light truck sales jumped 11.2% to 209,447 units.  Sales leader was Honda Canada (+11.1%), followed by Subaru Canada (+10.5%), Nissan Canada (+7.8%), Mazda Canada (+6.5%), Toyota Canada (+0.8%) and Mitsubishi Motor Sales of Canada (-2.1%).


 

Auto Industry in Canada

Report: The Economic Contributions of the Japanese Brand Automotive Industry to the Canadian Economy, 2001 – 2016

June 28, 2017

JAMA Canada is releasing a new report examining the economic contributions by the Japanese automotive industry in Canada over the last 15 years. The study was prepared by Greig Mordue, Associate Professor at McMaster University and Brendan Sweeney, Project Manager at the Automotive Policy Research Council at McMaster University.

Summary of the findings:

– In 2001, the Japanese-brand automotive industry in Canada directly employed 50,667 people.

– By 2016, it directly employed 85,678 people, an increase of 35,011 (69.1%) over 2001.

– Direct, intermediate and spin-off employment of almost 203,000

– In 2016, direct employees generated more than $5 billion in income, $1.5 billion in EI premiums, CPP/QPP contributions and Personal Income Taxes.

The full report can be found here.

This report illustrates the extent to which the shape of the Canadian auto industry has changed in the post-NAFTA era. As in the US and Mexico, investment in Canada by offshore headquartered companies has grown significantly, resulting in benefits for local suppliers, but also leading to new investment in parts manufacturing. The story has been obscured in the high level statistics on Canadian automotive production as the growth of Japanese investment has been offset by retrenchment of US automakers and parts makers.

In 2016, Japanese brand production in Canada exceeded 1 million vehicles for the first time, representing about 44% of total light vehicle output, up about 91% from 535,500 units in 2000. Now a fully integrated part of the Canadian auto industry, Japanese automakers have played a key role in maintaining the footprint of the sector through a period of global restructuring and technological change.

Going forward, this has some important implications for industry strategy and trade policy in Canada:
– how to encourage continued investment in the sector?
– how to play a larger role in global supply chains?
– what is the intersection between NAFTA and other modern trade agreements such as CETA and TPP?
– how to align the needs of the North American market while maintaining flexibility to pursue other national policy objectives (e.g. carbon reduction), as well as remain open to new advanced technologies and new market opportunities (e.g. cross-cumulation provisions with other preferential trade partners)?

 

Miscellaneous

May 2017 Sales

June 08, 2017

Canadian Sales, May 2017

New light vehicle sales in Canada broke through 200,000 units in May, smashing all previous monthly records. Total sales soared 11.2% to 216,861 units and most brands showed positive results. Light trucks had impressive growth with a 16.3% gain to 141,689 units, while passenger car sales rose 2.9% to 75,172 units compared to 2016.

Japanese automakers’ group sales in May were up 9.1% to 73,719 units. Although passenger car sales dropped 1.5% to 32,372 units, robust light truck demand accelerated sales up 19.2% to 41,347 units compared to May 2016.  The growth leader was Subaru Canada (+17.6%) with both car and light truck gains. Next comes Honda Canada (+11.8%), followed by Mazda Canada (+7.9%), Toyota Canada (+7.8%), Mitsubishi Motor Sales of Canada (+6.3%), and Nissan Canada (+5.6%).

YTD: JAN-MAY

Overall sales in Canada grew 4.8% to 835,582 units in the first 5 months of 2017. Light truck sales in Canada rallied 8.5% above 2016 sales, while passenger car sales remained 2.5% below a year earlier. Luxury brands such as Jaguar and Maserati showed notable sales, up 205.5% and 193.3% respectively, while small cars, like Smart dropped 73.8% compared to the same period of 2016.

JAMA Canada members’ YTD combined sales grew 5.2 % up to 290,089 units representing a 34.7% market share.  Passenger car sales went slightly down 0.6% to 123,079 units, although light truck sales had a steady gain of 10.0% to 167,010 units. Among member companies, the results were varied. The growth leader was Subaru Canada (+11.6%) followed by Honda Canada (+10.5%), Mazda Canada (+7.1%), Nissan Canada (+6.4%), Toyota Canada (-0.6%) and Mitsubishi Motor Sales of Canada (-4.4%).

 

Monthly Statistics

April 2017 Sales

May 11, 2017

Canadian light vehicle sales declined 1.6% in April to 197,203 units overall.  Although passenger car sales dropped 8.7% to 66,291 units, light truck sales rose 2.5% to 130,912 units. Consequently light truck sales captured almost two thirds (66.4%) of light vehicle sales in April.

Japanese automakers’ sales as a group in April fell 3.7% to 66,432 units. Light truck sales managed to stay positive (+0.3%), while passenger cars underperformed (-8.5%). Among member companies, the results were mixed: Subaru Canada was the growth leader (+8.6%) followed by Honda Canada (+2.2%), Mitsubishi Motors Sales Canada (-1.6%), Nissan Canada
(-6.5%), Toyota Canada (-7.8%), and Mazda Canada (-9.3%).

JAN – APR YTD

Overall, Canadian light vehicle sales were up 2.5% to 618,721 units. Demand for light tracks continues to surpass passenger cars as truck sales have grown 6.1% up to 420,488 units, while passenger car sales fell 4.3% to 198,233 from April 2016.

Total of all JAMA Canada members light vehicle sales were up 3.9% to 216,371 units. Although passenger car sales slipped 0.3% to 90,707 units, light truck sales had robust growth gaining 7.3% to 125,663 units compared to 2016. Growth leader is Honda Canada with double digit growth (+10.0%), followed by Subaru Canada (+9.7%), Mazda Canada (+6.8%), Nissan Canada (+6.7%), Toyota Canada (-3.3%), and Mitsubishi Motor Sales Canada (-7.4%).


 

Monthly Statistics

March 2017 Sales

April 17, 2017

March 2017 Sales

Canadian new light vehicle sales in March showed a significant margin at 187,540 units,  7.1 % up compared to a year earlier. Sales of passenger cars continued to decline, dropping 0.3% to 61,557 units, while light truck sales showed huge gained 11.1% to 125,983 units. After all, more than two thirds of the light vehicle sales were light trucks in Canada.

 JAMA Canada member companies had robust gain in March. Passenger car sales were 11.9 % up to 30,239 units, and light truck sales increased 12.7% to 37, 648 units, totaled 67,887 units with 12.3% growth compared to last year. Among member companies, Nissan Canada was the growth leader (+25.5%), followed by Honda Canada (+17.2%), Mazda Canada (+14.8%), Subaru Canada (+10.4%), Toyota Canada (+1.6%), only Mitsubishi Motor Sales Canada showed declined sales (-10.6%). In addition, all Japanese companies’ share marked 36.1%, 0.9 point up from previous month.



Jan – Mar YTD:  1Q

At the end of first quarter of 2017, Canadian light vehicle sales rose 4.6% to 421,518 units. The robust demand for light trucks continued up 7.9% to 289,576 units, while passenger car sales declined 2.0 % to 131,942 units.

Both passenger car and light truck sales increased for Japanese automakers for the YTD. Demand for light tracks continued to surpass passenger cars as truck sales grew 10.6% to 87,803 units, while 62,135 cars were sold, increasing 3.9% from 2016.  Results were mixed among member companies. Growth leader was Mazda Canada (+15.8%), followed by Honda Canada (+13.9%), Nissan Canada (+12.1%), Subaru Canada (+10.4%). Toyota Canada relatively had flat sales (-0.1%) and Mitsubishi Motor Sales Canada declined (-10.5%).


 

Monthly Statistics

February 2017 Sales

March 10, 2017

February 2017: Another record sales month

New light vehicle sales in Canada reached another all-time monthly sales record. Although sales of passenger car declined 2.1%, light truck sales increased 5.7% and total sales were up 3.2% to 123,032 units, compared to February 2016.

As a group, Japanese brand sales totalled 43,354 units increased 6.0 % over February 2016. Passenger car sales were 2.3 % up to 17,421 units, while light truck sales were up 8.6 % to 25,933 units.
The growth leader this month was Honda Canada (21.2%) followed by Subaru Canada (+16.6%), Mazda Canada (15.0%), and Nissan Canada (+5.5%). Reporting softer sales were Toyota Canada (-6.2%) and Mitsubishi Motor Sales Canada (-14.7%).

Jan – Feb YTD:

The overall Canadian market recorded positive growth up 2.7% to 233,977 units in the first two months in 2017. Light truck let the way as sales up 5.6% to 163,592 units, while passenger car sales dipped 3.3% to 70,385 units. The light truck share market in Canada increased 1.9 points to 69.9%

JAMA Canada members’ YTD sales grew 4.2% to 82,051 units, which is 35.1% of total Canadian light vehicle sales.  Although passenger car sales were down 2.6% to 31,896 units, light truck sales rose 9.0% to 50,155 units. Results were mixed among JAMA Canada members. Mazda Canada had a robust sales increase (+16.6%), followed by Honda Canada (+11.1%), Subaru Canada (+10.3%), and Nissan Canada (+2.3%).  Toyota Canada sales slid (-2.8%) and Mitsubishi Motor Sales Canada sales dropped (-10.3%) compared to last year.


 

Monthly Statistics

January Sales, 2017

February 14, 2017

Canadian new vehicle sales in January were up slightly 2.3% to 110,945 units for all brands compared to a year earlier. Sales of passenger cars continued to decline, dropping 4.8% to 32,212 units, while light truck sales increased 5.4% to 78,733 units.

Japanese automakers’ group sales in January went up 2.3% to 38,697 units. Although sales of passenger cars dropped 7.9% to 14,475 units, light truck sales soared 9.5% to 24,222 units. Results among individual companies were mixed: Mazda Canada enjoyed both passenger car and light truck gains, rising 18.5% overall, followed by Subaru Canada (+4.4%), Honda Canada (+1.5%), Toyota Canada (+1.1%), Nissan Canada (-1.1%), and Mitsubishi Motor Sales Canada (-5.0%).  Continuing the trend from 2016, light truck demand strengthened in January for all Japanese automakers, while car sales varied among individual member companies.


 

Monthly Statistics

December 2016 sales

January 06, 2017

New vehicle sales record in 2016 despite sluggish December sales

Canadian new light vehicle sales in December softened 2.6% to 125,600 units compared to a year earlier. Sales of passenger cars continued to decline, dropping 8.7% to 37,293 units, while light truck sales stayed relatively flat to 88,307 units, up 0.3%.

December Japanese brand light vehicle sales gained 2.3% to 44,930 units. Although car sales dropped 10.6% to 16,272 units, light truck sales rose 11.4% to 28,658 units YOY. Results among member companies were mixed in December: Mitsubishi Motor Sales Canada enjoyed a double digit gain of 18.5%, followed by Subaru Canada (+9.8%), Honda Canada (+7.2%), Toyota Canada (+4.5%), Mazda Canada (-2.7%), and Nissan Canada (-9.4%).

2016 YTD:

Over 1.948 million light vehicles sold in Canadian market in 2016 which reset the previous record in 2015 by 2.6%. Sales of cars were down 7.6% to 662,038 units, while sales of light trucks outperformed rising 8.8% to 1,286,861 units. The truck share continued to rise to 66.0% from 62.3% in 2015.

Japanese brands combined set a new sales record of 680,314 units, up 3.7% throughout 2016. Sales of passenger cars fell 6.0% to 288,075 units, while light truck sales soared 12.2% to 392,239 units. Demand for trucks over cars continues and source of vehicle manufacturing trend also stays the same (3 out of 4 vehicles sold were built in North America). Overall market share for Japanese brands in 2016 increased 0.3 point to 34.9% from last year. Among member companies, the growth leader was Subaru Canada (+7.7%) who set a new record sales in 2016 followed by Honda Canada (+5.2% – new record), Mitsubishi Motor Sales Canada (+4.3% – new record), Toyota Canada (+4.2%), Nissan Canada (+3.2% – new record), and Mazda Canada (-3.5%).

Source: Global Automakers Canada/JAMA Canada

 

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