Canadian Vehicle Sales Continue to Slow Across Most Provinces in April 2026
Canadian new light vehicle sales declined across most provinces in April 2026, highlighting continued softness in the market. Nova Scotia was the only province to post a year-over-year gain, with sales up 3.4%, while Newfoundland saw the largest decline at 12%. Quebec recorded the biggest volume drop, down nearly 2,000 units from April 2025, followed by Alberta and British Columbia. Despite the April slowdown, Quebec remains slightly ahead year-to-date, up 0.1%, while all other provinces are still trailing last year’s results.
Overall, Canadian new light vehicle sales reached an estimated 178,000 units in April, down 3.9% from the same month last year. Year-to-date sales totaled 584,000 units, a 4.2% decline from 2025 levels. Industry analysts say the widespread slowdown reflects growing economic uncertainty and more cautious spending from both consumers and businesses.
Used Vehicle Prices Stay Strong as Demand Shifts Toward Affordable and Fuel-Efficient Models
Wholesale used vehicle prices continued to climb in early May, with the Manheim Used Vehicle Value Index rising 3.8% year over year and 0.5% from April on a seasonally adjusted basis. Stronger tax refund activity earlier in the spring helped support dealer demand, while affordability concerns continue pushing buyers toward lower-priced, older vehicles. Models more than eight years old remain some of the strongest-performing segments in the wholesale market.
Fleet Buyers Face Upcoming Order Deadlines for GM Medium-Duty LCF Trucks
Fleet operators planning to add GM medium-duty low cab forward (LCF) trucks should be aware of several upcoming order cutoffs: