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July 15, 2026NEW MOTOR VEHICLE SALES, MAY 2026 Year-to-date (January-May 2026 vs January-May 2025)
Compared with January-May 2025, Nova Scotia unit sales of new vehicles declined 2.1%. National unit sales were down 4.3% with unit sales down in all provinces. The fastest decline was reported in Newfoundland and Labrador.
The sales values of new vehicles increased 0.1% in Nova Scotia in January-May 2026. National sales values were down 1.6% with declines in all provinces except Nova Scotia and Québec.
Compared to January-May 2025, average unit prices were up 2.2% in Nova Scotia in the first five months of 2026. National average unit prices were up 2.9% with gains in all provinces led by Newfoundland and Labrador and Saskatchewan. New Brunswick reported the smallest gain in average unit prices.
The average price of a new vehicle in the first five months of 2026 was $51,943 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 $57,444, with the highest value in Alberta.
Compared with January-May 2025, unit sales and sales values were down for trucks/SUVs and North American manufactures, while passenger cars and overseas manufactures were up. Average sales prices were up for all vehicle and manufacturing types, led by overseas manufactures and passenger cars.
Zero emission vehicle unit sales were up 18.9% in the first five months of 2026 compared with the same period of 2025, while sales values fell 21.5% and average prices fell 34.0%. Other fuel type vehicles, which account for the majority of vehicles sold, saw unit sales decline 3.1% while sales values rose 1.8%, with average unit prices for other fuel type vehicles up 5.0%.
In January-May 2026, trucks/SUVs accounted for 86.5% of unit sales and 89.8% of sales values. North American manufacturers accounted for 68.1% of Nova Scotia's unit sales and 70.5% of sales values in January-May 2026. Zero emission vehicles made up 5.2% of unit sales, and 5.9% of sales values, while all other fuel types accounted for 94.8% of unit sales and 94.1% of sales values.
Year-over-year (May 2026 vs May 2025)
Compared with May 2025, Nova Scotia unit sales of new vehicles declined 2.8%. National unit sales were down 1.9% with the fastest decline reported in Prince Edward Island.
The sales values of new vehicles declined 0.9% in Nova Scotia in May 2026, the only province alongside Manitoba to report lower sale values over May 2025. National sales values grew 2.3%, with the fastest increase in Prince Edward Island.
Compared to May 2025, average unit prices were up 2.0% in Nova Scotia in May 2026. National average unit prices were up 4.4% with gains in all provinces except Manitoba, led by Prince Edward Island.
The average price of a new vehicle in May 2026 was $51,720 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 $57,181, with the highest value in Saskatchewan.
Compared with May 2025, unit sales and sales values were up for passenger vehicles and overseas manufactures. All vehicle types saw higher average unit prices, led by overseas manufactures.
Zero emission vehicle unit sales and sales values were up in May 2026 compared with May 2025, while average unit prices fell. Other fuel type vehicles, which account for the majority of vehicles sold, saw unit sales decline faster than sales values, and average unit prices rise.
In May 2026, trucks/SUVs accounted for 84.7% of unit sales and 87.9% of sales values. North American manufacturers accounted for 66.8% of Nova Scotia's unit sales and 68.6% of sales values in May 2026. Zero emission vehicles made up 4.6% of unit sales, and 5.1% of sales values, while all other fuel types accounted for 95.4% of unit sales and 94.9% of sales values.
Trends
Nova Scotia's unit sales of 6,201 in May 2026 were lower than May 2025 but higher than the same month in previous years.
Sales value of $320.7 million was slightly below May 2025 but above the same month in previous years.
Average unit price in May 2026 was higher than in the same month in previous years, except for 2024.
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 were up compared to May 2025 and 2024, while sale values were lower than the same month of 2024.
Across Canada, national unit sales were below the same month in 2025 and 2019, but above comparable months between 2020 and 2024.
National sales values for May 2026 were above other comparable months in recent history.
May 2026 average unit prices were also above any comparable month in recent history.
There has been a steady trend of increasing market share for trucks/SUVs while the market share of passenger cars declines. This trend has reversed in the past six months.
Over the last twenty years, there has been a slow decline in market share for North American manufacturers while overseas manufacturers' market share has risen.
The market share for new zero-emission vehicles peaked at the end of 2024 and has since declined until 2025. The market share for new zero-emission vehicles slowly grew during the second half of 2025, but has not reached previous peak.
Prices for trucks/SUVs (the bulk of the market) have remained relatively stable through 2026. Prices for passenger cars have increased following a sharp decline in January 2026.
Prices for vehicles from North American manufactures remain above average prices for overseas manufacturers.
Average prices for zero-emission vehicles rose sharply in late 2024 and subsequently fell below previous levels by July 2025. Average prices for zero-emission vehicles remain below late 2024 and early 2025 levels. The low overall number of zero emission vehicles sold in Nova Scotia (288 in May 2026) can lead to volatility in prices.
Source: Statistics Canada. Table 20-10-0001-01 New motor vehicle sales
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