Canada February 2016: Elantra and RAV4 up in record market

Hyundai is clearing Elantras ahead of the arrival of the 2017 model (picture). 

* See the Top 15 groups, Top 35 brands and Top 252 models by clicking on the title *

There’s no stopping the new light vehicle market in Canada: up another 9% year-on-year in February to hit an all-time record for the month at 119.452 deliveries, lifting the year-to-date total to a record 228.246 units (+9%). Light trucks (pickups, crossovers, SUVs and vans) now represent a staggering 67% of the overall Canadian market vs. just 33% for passenger cars. Group-wise, FCA Fiat Chrysler Automobiles holds onto its newfound leadership but loses share with sales up just 1% to 18.813 (15.7%) above Ford Motor (+22%) and General Motors (+14%). Toyota Motor (+10%), Honda (+15%) and Nissan (+14%) also lodge double-digit gains whereas the Volkswagen Group is down 16%, pulled by its namesake brand down an alarming 28% in the wake of its never-ending emissions scandal.

Volkswagen sales crumble down 28% in Canada in February. 

Ford (+23%) remains the most popular brand ahead of Toyota (+10%), Chevrolet (+18%) and Honda (+19%). Ram is up 20%, Jeep up 34%, Mitsubishi up 31%, Land Rover up 50% and Cadillac up 45% but Dodge is down 26% and Chrysler down 42%. In the models ranking, the Ford F-Series is as dominant as ever with sales up a very strong 26% to 9.981 sales, widening the gap with its immediate follower the Ram Pickup, itself up 20% to 6.909 units. Hyundai is clearing Elantras ahead of the arrival of the 2017 model and as a result it becomes the best-selling passenger car in Canada at #3 overall with sales up 74% to 3.793.  The Honda Civic remains #1 year-to-date at 6.576 vs. 5.886 for the Elantra, despite a stop-sell ordered on some of its lineup end-January.

Ford Edge sales are up 122% year-on-year in Canada. 

The Toyota RAV4 is once again the best-selling SUV in the country, up to an outstanding 5th position overall at 3.136 units. Notice also the Jeep Cherokee up 58% to #12, Ford Edge up 133% to #22, Kia Forte up 124% to #28, Toyota Tacoma up 54% to #34 and Chevrolet Malibu up 165% to #36. Among recent launches, the Mazda CX-3 leads the way at #49, followed by the Honda HR-V at #64 (vs. #39 in January), Jeep Renegade at #93 and Scion iM at #120.

Previous month: Canada January 2016: Market up 10% to best January since 2002

One year ago: Canada February 2015: GMC Sierra/Chevy Silverado on fire

Full February 2016 Top 15 groups, Top 35 brands and Top 252 models below.