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October 15, 2026NEW MOTOR VEHICLE SALES, AUGUST 2026 Year-to-date (January-August 2026 vs January-August 2025)
Compared with January-August 2025, unit sales of new vehicles increased 2.0% in Nova Scotia, the only province to record gains. National unit sales were down 1.4% with the fastest decline in Prince Edward Island.
The sales values of new vehicles increased 3.0% in Nova Scotia in January-August 2026. National sales values were up 1.5% with Saskatchewan recording the fastest gains.
Compared to January-August 2025, average unit prices were up 1.1% in Nova Scotia in the first eight months of 2026. National average unit prices were up 2.9% with gains in all provinces led by Saskatchewan.
The average price of a new vehicle in the first eight months of 2026 was $51,290 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 $57,142, with the highest value in Alberta.
Compared with January-August 2025, unit sales and sales values were down for North American manufactures, while passenger cars, truck/SUVs and overseas manufactures were up. Average sales prices were up for all vehicle and manufacturing types, except North American manufacturers.
Zero emission vehicle unit sales were up 44.1% in the first eight months of 2026 compared with the same period of 2025, while sales values grew 4.7% and average prices fell 27.4%. Other fuel type vehicles, which account for the majority of vehicles sold, saw unit sales increase by 0.16% while sales values rose 2.9% and average prices rose 2.8%.
In January-August 2026, trucks/SUVs accounted for 85.6% of unit sales and 88.7% of sales values. North American manufacturers accounted for 66.2% of Nova Scotia's unit sales and 68.5% of sales values in January-August 2026. Zero emission vehicles made up 5.8% of unit sales and 6.4% of sales values, while all other fuel types accounted for 94.2% of unit sales and 93.6% of sales values.
Year-over-year (August 2026 vs August 2025)
Compared with August 2025, Nova Scotia unit sales of new vehicles were up 4.9%. National unit sales were up 4.9% with nine provinces reporting gains, led by Saskatchewan.
The sales values of new vehicles in Nova Scotia grew 6.9% in August 2026 compared to August 2025. National sales values grew 8.8%, with the fastest increase in Saskatchewan.
Compared to August 2025, average unit prices were up 1.9% in Nova Scotia in August 2026. National average unit prices were up 3.8% with gains led by Saskatchewan.
The average price of a new vehicle in August 2026 was $50,739 in Nova Scotia, the second lowest among provinces ahead of Prince Edward Island. Nationally, the average price of a new vehicle was $56,661, with the highest value in Saskatchewan.
Compared with August 2025, unit sales and sales values were up for all categories except North American manufacturers. All categories saw higher average unit prices.
Zero emission vehicle unit sales were up 84.5% and sales values were up 69.3% in August 2026 compared with August 2025, while average unit prices fell 8.2%. Other fuel type vehicles, which account for the majority of vehicles sold, saw unit sales rise 1.2%, slower than sales values at 3.4% and average unit prices at 2.2%.
In August 2026, trucks/SUVs accounted for 84.9% of unit sales and 87.7% of sales values. North American manufacturers accounted for 63.6% of Nova Scotia's unit sales and 66.2% of sales values in August 2026. Zero emission vehicles made up 7.8% of unit sales, and 8.4% of sales values, while all other fuel types accounted for 92.2% of unit sales and 91.6% of sales values.
Trends
Nova Scotia's unit sales of 4,751 in August 2026 were lower than for the previous five months but higher than August sales in recent years.
Sales value of $241.1 million was above the same month in recent years but the lowest its been since February this year.
Average unit price in August 2026 of $50,739 was higher than in the same month in recent years, except August 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 and sales values were up compared to August 2025 and 2024.
Across Canada, national unit sales were above the same month in previous years, except 2019.
National sales values for August 2026 were above other comparable months over the last few years.
August 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 has been declining. This trend has shown some reversal in the past eight months, with a recent uptick in August 2026.
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 of new zero-emission vehicles peaked at the end of 2024, declined until 2025, and recovered gradually during the second half of 2025. Despite this recovery, market share remains below its 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 manufacturers 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 August 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 (369 in August 2026) can lead to volatility in prices.
Source: Statistics Canada. Table 20-10-0001-01 New motor vehicle sales
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