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August 17, 2026NEW MOTOR VEHICLE SALES, JUNE 2026 Year-to-date (January-June 2026 vs January-June 2025)
Compared with January-June 2025, Nova Scotia unit sales of new vehicles increased 1.2%, the only province to record gains. National unit sales were down 2.3% with the fastest decline in Newfoundland and Labrador.
The sales values of new vehicles increased 2.3% in Nova Scotia in January-June 2026. National sales values were up 0.3% with Nova Scotia, Québec, and Ontario offsetting declines in the rest of the provinces.
Compared to January-June 2025, average unit prices were up 1.1% in Nova Scotia in the first half of 2026, the smallest gain among provinces. National average unit prices were up 2.6% with gains in all provinces led by Newfoundland and Labrador and Saskatchewan.
The average price of a new vehicle in the first half of 2026 was $51,707 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 $57,208, with the highest value in Alberta.
Compared with January-June 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 27.8% in the first half of 2026 compared with the same period of 2025, while sales values fell 11.2% and average prices fell 30.5%. Other fuel type vehicles, which account for the majority of vehicles sold, saw unit sales unchanged while sales values and average prices rose 3.3% each.
In January-June 2026, trucks/SUVs accounted for 86.2% of unit sales and 89.3% of sales values. North American manufacturers accounted for 66.9% of Nova Scotia's unit sales and 69.1% of sales values in January-June 2026. Zero emission vehicles made up 5.3% of unit sales, and 6.0% of sales values, while all other fuel types accounted for 94.7% of unit sales and 94.0% of sales values.
Year-over-year (June 2026 vs June 2025)
Compared with June 2025, Nova Scotia unit sales of new vehicles were up 15.4%, the fastest gain among provinces. National unit sales were up 7.3% with all provinces reporting gains and the slowest unit sales growth in Manitoba.
The sales values of new vehicles in Nova Scotia grew 11.6% in June 2026 compared to June 2025. National sales values grew 9.1%, with the fastest increase in Prince Edward Island and the slowest in Manitoba.
Compared to June 2025, average unit prices were down 3.3% in Nova Scotia in June 2026, the largest decline among provinces. National average unit prices were up 1.7% with gains led by Saskatchewan.
The average price of a new vehicle in June 2026 was $50,582 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 $56,239, with the highest value in Saskatchewan.
Compared with June 2025, unit sales and sales values were up for passenger vehicle, truck/SUVs and overseas manufactures. Passenger cars and overseas manufacturers saw higher average unit prices.
Zero emission vehicle unit sales and sales values were up in June 2026 compared with June 2025, while average unit prices fell. Other fuel type vehicles, which account for the majority of vehicles sold, saw unit sales rise faster than sales values, and average unit prices fell.
In June 2026, trucks/SUVs accounted for 85.2% of unit sales and 87.6% of sales values. North American manufacturers accounted for 62.7% of Nova Scotia's unit sales and 63.7% of sales values in June 2026. Zero emission vehicles made up 5.7% of unit sales, and 6.6% of sales values, while all other fuel types accounted for 94.3% of unit sales and 93.4% of sales values.
Trends
Nova Scotia's unit sales of 6,312 in June 2026 were higher than the same month in recent years.
Sales value of $320.9 million was above the same month in recent years.
Average unit price in June 2026 was higher than in the same month in recent years, except for 2025.
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 June 2025 and 2024.
Across Canada, national unit sales were above the same month in previous years, except 2019.
National sales values for June 2026 were above other comparable months over the last few years.
June 2026 average unit prices were also above any comparable month in recent history, except comparable month in 2024.
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 reversed in the past seven 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 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 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 (362 in June 2026) can lead to volatility in prices.
Source: Statistics Canada. Table 20-10-0001-01 New motor vehicle sales
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