Newfoundland was the strongest provincial performer in new light vehicle sales last year even as it experienced a double digit sales decline of 10.5% from 2019, according to DesRosiers Automotive Consultants (DAC).
However, the real story — as DAC puts it — was Ontario’s new light vehicle sales decline, which was significant.
“Ontario saw its new light vehicle sales decimated in 2020,” said Andrew King, Managing Partner at DAC. Sales in Canada’s largest province declined by more than 23% or more than 190,000 units. “Alone, Ontario accounted for more than half of the total Canadian sales drop in 2020.”
In comparison, Quebec, British Columbia and Alberta all “outperformed” Ontario with sales declines of 17.5%, 18.0% and 16.9% respectively. Among the smaller market provinces, Prince Edward Island and Saskatchewan, both experienced relative strength with declines of 13.6% and 13.3%, respectively.
