Please be advised that the 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander HV is now officially sold out for fleet for the 2026 model year.
Canadian Auto Sales Edge Higher Despite Tariffs and Economic Uncertainty
Canadian new-vehicle sales rose an estimated 3.7% in September, reaching about 163,000 units, according to DesRosiers Automotive Consultants (DAC). The firm described the result as “reasonable” in light of ongoing economic uncertainty and escalating U.S.–Canada trade tensions. The increase came against a weak September 2024 baseline and included one extra selling day, but sales still lagged behind historical levels of 172,000 in 2020 and a record 187,000 in 2017. Year-to-date, sales are up 4.5% to 1.47 million vehicles, though the sector is grappling with squeezed margins and pricing pressures as trade disputes continue.
September Auto Market Update: Policy Shifts, Tariff Pressures, and Mixed Sales Momentum
September was an eventful month in the zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) space, with notable policy shifts and market dynamics. In the U.S., the $7,500 tax credit ended, while Canada paused its 2026 ZEV mandate for a 60-day review, and Quebec confirmed it would not ban internal combustion engine (ICE) light vehicle sales after 2035. Meanwhile, Halifax received its first shipment of German-built Teslas intended to avoid counter-tariffs. Despite these developments, ZEV sales lagged behind mandates across Canada, falling far short of the Norwegian benchmark.