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December 12, 2025NEW MOTOR VEHICLE SALES, OCTOBER 2025 Year-to-date (January-October 2025 vs January-October 2024, unadjusted)
Compared with January-October 2024, Nova Scotia unit sales of new vehicles (+14.4%) reported a faster gain than in any other province, with national unit sales up 3.7%. Unit sales were up in all provinces except Québec.
The sales values of new vehicles increased 14.9% in Nova Scotia in the first ten months of 2025, the fastest gain among provinces. National sales values were up 2.8% with gains in all provinces except Québec.
Compared to January-October 2024, average unit prices were up 0.5% in Nova Scotia in January-October 2025, second fastest among the two provinces that reported growth (fastest: Newfoundland and Labrador). National average unit prices were down 0.9% with declines in eight provinces. Manitoba reported the largest decline in average unit prices.
The average price of a new vehicle over January-October 2025 was $50,696 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 $55,467 in January-October with the highest value in Alberta.
Compared with January-October 2024, unit sales and sales values were up notably faster for Trucks/SUVs than for passenger cars. North American manufacturers saw faster increases in unit sales and sales values compared to overseas manufactures. Average sales prices were down marginally for trucks/SUVs but up for passenger cars. Overseas manufacturers' vehicles reported lower prices while North American vehicle manufacturers' products had higher prices.
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 22.3% in January-October 2025 compared with January-October 2024, while sales values fell 10.0%. There was a 15.8% rise in average unit prices for zero emission vehicles. Other fuel type vehicles, which account for the majority of vehicles sold, saw unit sales increase 16.8% while sales values increased 17.1%, with average unit prices for other fuel type vehicles up 0.2%.
Over the period from January-October 2025, trucks/SUVs accounted for 87.1% of unit sales and 90.1% of sales values. North American manufacturers accounted for 70.2% of Nova Scotia's unit sales and 73.4% of sales values in January-October 2025. Zero emission vehicles made up 4.2% of unit sales, and 6.2% of sales values, while all other fuel types accounted for 95.8% of unit sales and 93.8% of sales values.
Year-over-year (October 2025 vs October 2024, unadjusted)
Compared with October 2024, Nova Scotia unit sales of new vehicles were down 0.4%. National unit sales were down 0.7% year-over-year with declines in six provinces. Québec reported the steepest year-over-year decline while Saskatchewan reported the fastest gain.
The sales values of new vehicles decreased 1.1% in Nova Scotia from October 2024 to October 2025. National sales values were down 2.3% with declines in six provinces. Québec had the fastest decline in year-over-year sales values while Saskatchewan had the strongest growth.
Compared to October 2024, average unit prices were down 0.6% in Nova Scotia in October 2025. Average unit prices were down 1.6% nationally with declines in all provinces except Saskatchewan. Prince Edward Island had the steepest year-over-year decline in average motor vehicle prices.
The average price of a new vehicle in October 2025 was $51,157 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 $55,487 in October with the highest value in Saskatchewan.
Compared with October 2024, unit sales increased for trucks/SUVs with lower sales values, while unit sales and sales value declined for passenger vehicles. North American manufacturers unit sales and sales values were down year-over-year, while overseas manufactures increased. Average unit prices were down on lower average prices for trucks/SUVs and North American manufactures, with increases in average prices for passenger vehicles and overseas manufactures.
Zero emission vehicle unit sales were down 38.9% in October 2025 compared with October 2024, while sales values declined 42.4% and average unit prices decreased 5.8%. The low overall number of zero emission vehicles sold in Nova Scotia (184 in October 2025) can lead to volatility in unit sales, sales values, and prices. Other fuel type vehicles, which account for the majority of vehicles sold (4,114 units), saw unit sales increase 2.4% while sales values increased 3.0%, and the average unit price for other fuel type vehicles rose 0.6%.
In October 2025, trucks/SUVs accounted for 88.7% of unit sales and 90.1% of sales values. North American manufacturers accounted for 68.1% of Nova Scotia's unit sales and 70.6% of sales values in October 2025. Zero emission vehicles made up 4.3% of unit sales, and 5.3% of sales values, while all other fuel types accounted for 95.7% of unit sales and 94.7% of sales values.
Trends
Nova Scotia's unit sales of 4,298 in October 2025 slightly lower than the same month in 2024, but above the same month in previous years to 2017.
Sales values of $219.9 million were below the same month in 2024, but above the same month in previous years.
Nova Scotia average unit prices have declined over the last year.
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 October 2024.
Across Canada, national unit sales were below the same month in 2024 but above any comparable month since 2020.
National sales values for October 2025 were below the values from October 2024, but above other comparable months in recent history.
National average unit sales prices have returned to levels seen in early 2024. October 2025 average unit prices were down from October 2024 but remain above any comparable month prior to that.
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 has risen. In recent years, market shares for North American and overseas manufactures have stabilized.
The market share for new zero-emission vehicles declined in early months of 2025, but has grown since July.
Prices for trucks/SUVs (the bulk of the market) have fallen from their recent peaks at the end of 2024. Prices for passenger cars posted a notable increase in October and have reached a new high.
Prices for vehicles from North American as well as overseas manufacturers have risen in recent months.
Average prices for zero-emission vehicles rose sharply in late 2024 and have subsequently fallen below previous levels. The low overall number of zero emission vehicles sold in Nova Scotia (184 in October 2025) can lead to volatility in prices.
Source: Statistics Canada. Table 20-10-0001-01 New motor vehicle sales
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