Canada July 2021: Toyota (+19.7%), Lexus (+16.6%) ignore market back in negative (-5.7%)

Toyota sales are up 19.7% in a market down -5.7% in July. 

Estimates from Desrosiers Automotive have the Canadian new car market down -5.7% year-on-year in July to 155.657 units as inventory shortages linked to the microchip crisis dent the market recovery from Covid-19 restrictions. This leads to a year-to-date tally up 24.5% to 1.013.104. One positive sign is the Seasonally adjusted annualised rate of sales (SAAR) improving on June from 1.65 million to 1.71 million but remaining well below its level of last March (1.92 million). 

Only 5 manufacturers and 8 brands out of 40 present on the market have reported July 2021 sales. Toyota Motor (+19.4%) stands out with the only double-digit gain among manufacturers with available sales figures and a record July volume, strikingly unaffected by the parts shortage. Hyundai-Kia recedes by -3.4%. As for brands, Toyota (+19.7%) and Lexus (+16.6%) impress, the latter signing a 5th straight monthly record, with smaller brand Genesis (+355.7%) also up significantly. Volvo (+9%) and Subaru (+6.4%) also shine, with Subaru posting a record July volume and third largest monthly volume ever.  Kia (+0.1%) is stable while Hyundai (-8.7%) and Mazda (-10%) backtrack.

Among models with available July data, the Toyota RAV4 (+3.6%), Corolla (+23%) and Hyundai Tucson (+1%) score the highest volumes, while the Subaru Crosstrek (+94.6%) almost doubles its sales year-on-year to hit an all-time record figure. Below, notice also the Kia Niro (+66.1%), Toyota Highlander (+52%), Toyota Prius (+40.6%), Toyota Camry (+38.5%), Mazda CX-30 (+36.9%), Toyota 4Runner (+25.1%), Toyota Sienna (+22.6%), Kia Sportage (+22.5%), Lexus NX (+21.6%), Toyota Tacoma (+21.6%), Kia Soul (+18.8%), Kia Rio (+18.1%) and Toyota C-HR (+14.8%) all delivering solid year-on-year gains.

Previous month: Canada June 2021: Toyota (+92.3%) takes control of market up 51.8% over Q2, 3.9% in June

One year ago: Canada July 2020: Lexus, Volvo, Subaru help thin market loss to -4.9%

Full July 2021 sales for selected groups, brands and models below.