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May 14, 2021NEW MOTOR VEHICLE SALES, MARCH 2021 With March reference month results, year-over-year (Mar 2021 vs Mar 2020) and year-to-date (Jan-Mar21 vs Jan-Mar20) are beginning to show the rebounds in economic activity from the unprecedented declines observed at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Year-to-date (Jan-Mar 2021 vs Jan-Mar 2020, unadjusted)
In the first 3 months of 2021, Nova Scotia new motor vehicle unit sales increased 32.0%. The 10,211 new motor vehicles sold in Jan-Mar 2021 represent a sales value of $414.9 million, up 35.1% over Jan-Mar 2020.
In Canada new motor vehicles unit sales increased 15.2%. The 385,282 new motor vehicles sold in Jan-Mar 2021 represent a sales value of $18.2 billion, up 20.7% over Jan-Mar 2020.
Year-to-date unit sales rebounded in all provinces with the largest gains in Atlantic Canada and Quebec. Unit sales increased much less in Ontario. Sales values were also up across all provinces with the largest increases in Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia. Sales values in Ontario reported the smallest gain.
Year-over-year (Mar 2021 vs Mar 2020, unadjusted)
Comparing March 2021 with the first major effects of the pandemic observed in March 2020, Nova Scotia unit sales of new vehicles increased 105.3% while national unit sales were up 83.0%. Sales values increased 103.6% in Nova Scotia and 86.5% nationally.
Unit sales and sales values rebounded sharply between March 2020 and March 2021 - rising in all provinces. The largest gains were in Quebec and Prince Edward Island, the smallest in Ontario.
Average Prices (Jan-Mar 2021 vs Jan-Mar 2020)
In Nova Scotia, the average price of a new motor vehicle was $40,628, up 2.4% from the first three months of 2020. National average motor vehicle prices were $47,140, up 4.7%. Price growth was positive for all provinces except New Brunswick. The largest rise was observed in Manitoba.
In Nova Scotia, average unit prices for all motor vehicles was $40,628. Trucks/SUV averaged $42,899 and passenger cars averaged $30,425.
Passenger Cars and Trucks/SUVs (Jan-Mar 2021 vs Jan-Mar 2020)
In the first 3 months of 2021, Nova Scotia unit sales of truck/SUV (81.8% of unit sales) increased 40.4%. Unit sales of passenger car increased 3.9%.
Sales value of truck/SUV (86.4% of sales value) increased 40.0%. Sales value of passenger car increased 10.8%.
Country of Manufacture (Jan-Mar 2021 vs Jan-Mar 2020)
In the first 3 months of 2021, Nova Scotia unit sales of North American manufactured new motor vehicles (71.5% of unit sales) increased 26.7%. Unit sales of overseas manufactures increased 47.5%.
Nova Scotia sales value of North American manufactured new motor vehicles (74.9% of sales value) increased 30.7%. Sales value of overseas manufactures increased 50.4%.
Source: Statistics Canada. Table 20-10-0001-01 New motor vehicle sales
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