Canada November 2020: New Covid restrictions hit market down -10.4%, Volvo (+13.1%), Kia (+8.1%) survive

Volvo Canada sales are up 13.1% in a market down -10.4%.

According to local consultancy DesRosiers, the Canadian new vehicle market is down -10.4% year-on-year in November to 128.351 units, a much larger drop than last month’s -2%. The second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic has indeed triggered the return of restrictions and is hampering the market. December could be worse as most restrictions will remain in place by then: for example Toronto is under a 28-day lockdown since November 25, with new car purchases by appointment only. The year-to-date tally is now off -20.4% to an estimated 1.447.950 units.

Only a handful of carmakers still report sales monthly in Canada, and if last month the picture was rosy in contrast with the market, this time they show a wide range of evolutions. All large groups are in negative, with Toyota Motor (-16.8%) and Honda Motor (-13.2%) hit the hardest while Hyundai-Kia (-2.7%) manages to limit its losses. Brand-wise, Genesis (+36.2%) benefits from the arrival of the new GV80 SUV and new generation G80, but its sales remain anecdotal at just 143. Volvo (+13.1%), Kia (+8.1%), Subaru (+7.5%) and Mazda (+5%) ignore the gloomy context and post significant gains. Lexus (-21.1%), Acura (-17.7%), Toyota (-16.2%) and Honda (-12.6%) fare the worst.

Among the best-selling models with available monthly data, the Subaru Crosstrek (+52%), Mazda CX-5 (+10%), Hyundai Kona (+9.8%), Kia Forte (+9.2%), Toyota Highlander (+6.6%) and Tacoma (+4.7%) post solid upticks while the Hyundai Venue (+13500%) celebrates one year in market. Further down, notice the Hyundai Ioniq (+795.2%), Sonata (+171%), Subaru WRX (+130.2%), Kia Telluride (+36.9%), Honda Fit (+34.8%), Hyundai Palisade (+25.6%) and Mazda CX-9 (+22.4%) make themselves noticed.

Previous month: Canada October 2020: Volvo (+25.5%), Kia (+19.4%), Subaru (+12%) can’t prevent a return to negative (-2%)

One year ago: Canada November 2019: FCA (+9.7%), Hyundai-Kia (+6.1%) can’t prevent 20th decline in 21 months

Full November 2020 selected 6 groups, 10 brands and models below.