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June 13, 2025NEW MOTOR VEHICLE SALES, APRIL 2025 Year-to-date (January-April 2025 vs January-April 2024, unadjusted)
Compared with January-April 2024, Nova Scotia unit sales of new vehicles (+16.1%) reported a faster gain than the national average, with national unit sales up 4.6%. Sales were up in all provinces except Québec. Manitoba had the strongest growth in unit sales, year-to-date.
The sales values of new vehicles increased 21.2% in Nova Scotia from January-April 2024 to January-April 2025. This was the second fastest gain reported among provinces behind Newfoundland and Labrador. National sales values were up 6.8% with gains in all provinces. The smallest gain was reported in Québec.
Compared to January-April 2024, average unit prices were up 4.4% in Nova Scotia in January-April 2025, the fastest gain among provinces. Average unit prices were up 2.1% nationally with increases in six provinces. Saskatchewan had the largest decline in average unit prices.
The average price of a new vehicle over January-April 2025 was $50,717 in Nova Scotia - third lowest among provinces ahead of Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador. Nationally, the average price of a new vehicle was $56,036 in January-April with the highest value in Alberta.
Compared with January-April 2024, sales were up for Trucks/SUVs, and down for passenger cars. North American manufacturers saw faster increases in unit sales and sales values compared to overseas manufactures. Average sales prices were up for all vehicle types as sales value outpaced unit sales.
Starting with the January 2024 reference month, new data has been released on vehicle sales by fuel type. Zero emission vehicle unit sales were down 7.5% in January-April 2025 compared with January-April 2024, while sales values increased 41.9% and average unit prices increased 53.4%. Other fuel type vehicles, which account for the majority of vehicles sold, saw unit sales increase 17.5% while sales values increased 19.6%, and the average unit price for other fuel type vehicles increased 1.7%.
In January-April 2025, trucks/SUVs accounted for 87.1% of unit sales and 90.5% of sales values. North American manufacturers accounted for 70.5% of Nova Scotia's unit sales and 73.7% of sales values in January-April 2025. Zero emission vehicles made up 4.5% of unit sales, and 8.4% of sales values, while all other fuel types accounted for 95.5% of unit sales and 91.6% of sales values.
Year-over-year (April 2025 vs April 2024, unadjusted)
Compared with April 2024, Nova Scotia unit sales of new vehicles (+21.5%) reported a faster gain than the national average (+11.3%). Sales were up in all provinces. Newfoundland and Labrador had the strongest growth in unit sales (followed by Nova Scotia) while British Columbia had the slowest growth compared to April 2024.
The sales values of new vehicles increased 20.7% in Nova Scotia from April 2024 to April 2025, the second largest gain among provinces. National sales values were up 9.7% with gains in all provinces. The strongest growth in sales value was in Newfoundland and Labrador while the slowest growth was in British Columbia.
Compared to April 2024, average unit prices were down 0.7% in Nova Scotia in April 2025. Average unit prices were down 1.5% nationally with declines in eight provinces. Prince Edward Island and Québec reported the only gains. Saskatchewan had the steepest decline in average motor vehicle prices.
The average price of a new vehicle in April was $49,029 in Nova Scotia - third lowest among provinces ahead of Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador. Nationally, the average price of a new vehicle was $54,928 in March with the highest value in Alberta.
Compared with April 2024, unit sales were up for Trucks/SUVs, and down for passenger cars. Growth in overseas manufactures outpaced growth in North American unit sales and sales values, while overseas average price decline outpaced North American average prices. Average sales prices were down for all vehicle types as unit sales outpaced sales value.
Zero emission vehicle unit sales were down 34.5% in April 2025 compared with April 2024, while sales values declined 33.0% and average unit prices increased 2.3%. The low overall number of zero emission vehicles sold in Nova Scotia (171 in April 2025) can lead to volatility in unit sales, sales values, and prices. Other fuel type vehicles, which account for the majority of vehicles sold, saw unit sales increase 25.0% while sales values increased 24.9%, and the average unit price for other fuel type vehicles decreased 0.1%.
In April 2025, trucks/SUVs accounted for 87.0% of unit sales and 90.1% of sales values. North American manufacturers accounted for 70.2% of Nova Scotia's unit sales and 72.8% of sales values in April 2025. Zero emission vehicles made up 3.2% of unit sales, and 4.1% of sales values, while all other fuel types accounted for 96.8% of unit sales and 95.9% of sales values.
Trends
Nova Scotia's unit sales of 5,392 in April 2025 were stronger than those reported in the same month of any year since 2019.
Increased unit sales and higher average prices have resulted in April 2025 motor vehicle sales values above comparable months in previous years.
Nova Scotia average unit prices have declined.
Zero-emission vehicles are currently a small share of the new motor vehicle market in Nova Scotia. Due to the small number of vehicles sold, there can be volatility in the year-over-year or year-to-date comparisons for unit sales, sales value and average prices. Nova Scotia zero-emission vehicle unit sales and sales values were down compared to April 2024.
Across Canada, national unit sales are above any comparable month since 2018.
National sales values for April 2025 were above values in comparable months in recent history.
National average unit sales prices have returned to levels seen in early 2024, despite increases in November and December of last year. April 2025 average unit prices were down from April 2024.
There has been a steady trend of increasing market share for trucks/SUVs while the market share of passenger cars declines. This trend has become less volatile in recent months.
Over the last twenty years, there has been a slow decline in market share for North American manufacturers while overseas manufacturers' market share rises. In recent years, market shares for North American and overseas manufactures have stabilized.
The market share for new zero-emission vehicles has been declining this year since peaking in December of 2024.
Prices for trucks/SUVs (the bulk of the market) as well as passenger cars have fallen from their recent peak at the end of 2024.
Prices for vehicles from North American manufacturers continued to decline in April while prices for vehicles from overseas manufactures have declining trend in recent months.
Average prices for zero-emission vehicles have trended up since mid-2024. The low overall number of zero emission vehicles sold in Nova Scotia (171 in April 2025) can lead to volatility in prices.
Source: Statistics Canada. Table 20-10-0001-01 New motor vehicle sales
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