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June 12, 2026NEW MOTOR VEHICLE SALES, MARCH 2026 Year-to-date (January-April 2026 vs January-April 2025)
Compared with January-April 2025, Nova Scotia unit sales of new vehicles declined 2.0%. National unit sales were down 5.1% 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-April 2026. National sales values were down 2.8% with declines in all provinces except Nova Scotia and Québec.
Compared to January-April 2025, average unit prices were up 2.2% in Nova Scotia in the first four months of 2026. National average unit prices were up 2.4% with gains in all provinces led by Manitoba. New Brunswick reported the smallest gain in average unit prices.
The average price of a new vehicle in the first four months of 2026 was $51,974 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 $57,509, with the highest value in Alberta.
Compared with January-April 2025, unit sales were down faster for passenger cars compared to other vehicle types. Sales values were up most for passenger cars and overseas manufacturers, while North American manufacturers reported the only decline in Nova Scotia sales values. Average sales prices were up for all vehicle and manufacturing types, led by passenger cars and overseas manufacturers.
Zero emission vehicle unit sales were up 15.5% in the first four months of 2026 compared with the same period of 2025, while sales values fell 28.3% and average prices fell 37.9%. Other fuel type vehicles, which account for the majority of vehicles sold, saw unit sales decline 2.9% while sales values rose 2.8%, with average unit prices for other fuel type vehicles up 5.8%.
In January-April 2026, trucks/SUVs accounted for 87.1% of unit sales and 90.4% of sales values. North American manufacturers accounted for 68.7% of Nova Scotia's unit sales and 71.4% of sales values in January-April 2026. Zero emission vehicles made up 5.4% of unit sales, and 6.1% of sales values, while all other fuel types accounted for 94.6% of unit sales and 93.9% of sales values.
Year-over-year (April 2026 vs April 2025)
Compared with April 2025, Nova Scotia unit sales of new vehicles grew 3.8%, the only province to report a gain in unit sales. National unit sales were down 6.0% with the fastest decline reported in Newfoundland and Labrador.
The sales values of new vehicles increased 9.9% in Nova Scotia in April 2026, the only province to report incresing sales values. National sales values declined 1.7%, with the fastest decline in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Compared to April 2025, average unit prices were up 5.9% in Nova Scotia in April 2026. National average unit prices were up 4.5% with gains in all provinces led by Manitoba. New Brunswick reported the smallest gain average unit prices.
The average price of a new vehicle in April 2026 was $52,302 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 $57,800, with the highest value in Alberta.
Compared with April 2025, unit sales, sales values, and average unit prices were up for all manufacturers and vehicle types. Passenger cars and overseas manufacturuers saw the largest increases in unit sales and sales values, while North American manufacturers and trucks/suvs reported the largest rise in unit prices.
Zero emission vehicle unit sales and sales values were up in April 2026 compared with April 2025, while average unit prices fell. Other fuel type vehicles, which account for the majority of vehicles sold, saw unit sales, sales values, and average unit prices rise.
In April 2026, trucks/SUVs accounted for 85.9% of unit sales and 89.3% of sales values. North American manufacturers accounted for 69.5% of Nova Scotia's unit sales and 72.7% of sales values in April 2026. Zero emission vehicles made up 4.6% of unit sales, and 4.9% of sales values, while all other fuel types accounted for 95.4% of unit sales and 95.1% of sales values.
Trends
Nova Scotia's unit sales of 5,591 in April 2026 were higher than the same month in previous years.
Sales value of $292.4 million was above the same month in previous years.
Average unit price in April 2026 was higher than in the same month in previous years.
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 April 2025.
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 April 2026 were slightly lower than the value in April 2025, but above other comparable months in recent history.
April 2026 average unit prices were 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 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.
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 has been slowly growing since the second half of 2025, but has not reached previous peak.
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 small recovery 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 (258 in April 2026) can lead to volatility in prices.
Source: Statistics Canada. Table 20-10-0001-01 New motor vehicle sales
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