Canada August 2023: Kia (+63.2%) stands out, 10th consecutive month of sales growth

The Kia Seltos is up 71.6% year-on-year in August.

Local consultancy DesRosiers Automotive has the Canadian light vehicle market up 18.3% year-on-year in August to 149,697 sales, marking a 10th consecutive month of gains. However the August 2022 comparison base is particularly weak as its was the worst August result since 1999. This brings the year-to-date tally up 10.6% to 1,120,600. The Seasonally Adjusted Annualised Rate of sales (SAAR) is up 17.9% year-on-year to 1.65 million, the highest since last February.

Among groups still reporting monthly sales, Toyota Motor is up 26.8%, Hyundai-Kia up 24% and Honda Canada up 28.2%, all beating the market. Brand-wise, Toyota (+26.8%) and Honda (+30.3%) are solid unlike a weak Hyundai (+4.7%). Kia (+63.2%) posts the largest gain of all reporting brands, with Subaru (+28.5%), Lexus (+26.6%) and Volvo (+39.6%) also very strong.

Model-wise, the Toyota RAV4 (+36.9%) and Honda CR-V (+192.4%) both manage stellar growth, the latter thanks to a new generation. In contrast the Toyota Corolla (-27.1%) and Honda Civic (-26.1%) struggle. Outstanding result for the Hyundai Kona (+29.2%) and Kia Sportage (+72.8%) while the Hyundai Tucson (+17.1%) is a little shyer. Below, the Toyota Tacoma (+207.1%), Corolla Cross (+127.9%) and Kia Seltos (+71.6%) stand out.

Previous month: Canada July 2023: Market up a shy 8%, Acura (+91%), Subaru (+63.3%) impress

One year ago: Canada August 2022: Sales off -13.9% to lowest since 1999

Full August 2023 sale data for selected groups, brands and models below.