Canada February 2017: New light vehicle sales do not weaken at +3.2%

Honda Civic sales are up 37% thanks to the new hatch variant… 

* See the Top 15 groups, Top 35 brands and Top 265 models by clicking on the title *

After a 2.3% year-on-year gain in January, the Canadian new car market confirms it may be on the way to a fifth consecutive annual record with February deliveries up another 3.2% in February to 123.294, a record for the month. This brings the year-to-date total after two month to a record-breaking 234.496 units, up 2.8% on the same period in 2016. For the second month running, FCA Fiat Chrysler Automobiles takes the groups lead but fails to match the market with a slim 1.5% year-on-year increase to 19.115 sales, followed by Ford Motor Co. up 3.1% to 18.965 and General Motors up 5.1% to 16.528. Toyota Motor (-6.2%) and Hyundai-Kia (-11.2%) disappoint but the rest of the groups ranking is entirely in positive territory, with Jaguar-Land Rover (+14.2%), Daimler AG (+16.6%) and Honda Motor (+21.2%) in particularly great shape.

…as do Toyota Corolla sales now including the iM hatch (Scion model pictured). Picture caranddriver.com 

Brand-wise, Ford remains comfortably in the lead, outpacing the market at +2.9% to 18.427 sales, with the Top 7 best-sellers unchanged on February. Chevrolet (-1.5%), Toyota (-6.5%) and Hyundai (-12.7%) are in difficulty whereas Nissan (+6.5%), Mazda (+15%) and Dodge (+26%) frankly outsmart the market. Outside the Top 10, note Jeep trundling down 21.3% to #11, Subaru up 16.6%, Mercedes up 22.5%, Lexus up 22.9%, Audi up 27.8%, Buick up 55.3% – lifted by the Encore and Envision crossovers, Jaguar up 238.3% and Maserati up 429.2%.

The Levante boosts Canadian Maserati sales up 429% in February.

Following the same trend as Mexico this month, the models ranking concentrates on the tried and tested best-sellers, a common reaction in the current uncertain times – both politically and economically – brought by the Donald Trump election. The Top 7 best-sellers all outpace the market, with the Ford F-Series and Ram Pickup both gaining 3% at the top. The Honda Civic is boosted up 37% by the arrival of the hatchback variant while similarly, the Toyota Corolla (+36%) now benefits from additional sales of the iM hatchback previously known as Scion iM.

The Alfa Romeo Giulia makes its first appearance in the Canadian charts this month.

The GMC Sierra ranks 5th at +6%, distancing the Dodge Grand Caravan (+30%) and Honda CR-V (+19%), best-selling SUV above the Toyota RAV4 (-4%) and Nissan Rogue (+41%). Among recent launches (<12 months), the Chrysler Pacifica is up 54 spots on January to break its ranking record at #62 (previous best: #84 last October) and the Cadillac XT5 is up 8 ranks to #78, also the nameplate’s ranking record (pb: #82 last December). These are the only two newcomers in the Canadian Top 100 this month. Finally, we welcome three new nameplates into the Canadian charts this month: the Volvo V90 at #243, the Alfa Romeo Giulia at #257 and the Kia Niro at #259.

Full February 2017 Top 15 groups, Top 35 brands and Top 265 models below.