Canada May 2026: Volvo (+12%), Genesis (+10.4%) highlight 8th straight market decline

Volvo XC90 Canadian sales are up 45.2% in May.

According to estimates by local consultancy DesRosiers Automotive, the Canadian new light vehicle market endures an 8th consecutive month of year-on-year decline in May at -1.7% to 184,000 units in what is traditionally the biggest month of the year. The year-to-date tally is now down -4.5% to 768,000. Sales of carmakers still reporting monthly results are down -1.8% to 82,419 for the month and off -4.1% to 326,731 year-to-date. The SAAR stands at 1.78 million which is the lowest so far this year. According to DesRosiers, in May the first 2,910 Chinese EVs arrived in Canada under the new trade agreement, although the majority of these will not be seen in the sales numbers until June.

Among OEMs still reporting monthly, Toyota Motor is up 4%, Hyundai-Kia up 1% and Honda Canada down -3%. Brand-wise, Volvo (+12%) and Genesis (+10.4%) are the most dynamic followed by Toyota (+6.7%), with Hyundai (+0.8%) and Kia (+0.7%) stable. Mazda (-21%), Acura (-17.2%), Lexus (-13.6%) and Subaru (-12%) are all hit very hard while Honda (-1.4%) limits its fall. Looking at models with available monthly data, the Toyota RAV4 progressively reduces its YoY drop from -79.3% in February to -13.2% this month, again above its archenemy the Honda CR-V (-0.4%). However the CR-V has a 4,386 unit advantage YTD. The Hyundai Tucson (+19.8%), Kia Sportage (+22.7%) and Toyota Tacoma (+34.7%) impress below.

Previous month: Canada April 2026: Toyota, Volvo, Genesis islands of growth in negative market

One year ago: Canada May 2025: Lexus (+41.3%), Acura (+31.1%) strongest in market up 7.9%

Full May 2026 data for selected OEMs, brands and models below.