New motor vehicle sales, February 2023

Released: 2023-04-18

New motor vehicle sales data for Canada and the provinces are now available for February. The New Motor Vehicle Sales Survey collects data on monthly sales (in dollars and units) of new motor vehicles in Canada by type of vehicle and by country or region of manufacture.

New Motor Vehicle Sales, 2022

New motor vehicle sales decline in 2022

In 2022, there were 1,558,237 new motor vehicles sold in Canada, declining 7.9% from 2021. The 1,629,314 new motor vehicles sold in 2021 marked a 6.3% increase from 2020, when most dealership showrooms across Canada were required to close for at least six weeks. In 2022, the new motor vehicle industry faced a new challenge—a global semiconductor shortage.

Amidst these shortages, nearly all vehicle types declined compared with 2021. Sales of new passenger cars declined 16.9% from 2021, the year they experienced their only year-over-year increase since 2013. There were fewer light trucks (-6.0%) and buses (-22.0%) sold in 2022 than in 2021. Heavy trucks (+7.5%) experienced the only increase in new units sold.

Sales increase in dollar terms

In dollar terms, total new motor vehicle sales increased 1.7% compared with 2021. Among vehicle types, sales from passenger cars (-9.5%) and buses (-23.6%) both declined from 2021. Despite fewer units sold, sales of new light trucks in dollar terms increased 3.5% compared with 2021. Sales of heavy trucks (+13.2%) increased in dollar terms.

Contact information

For more information, or to enquire about the concepts, methods or data quality of this release, contact us (toll-free 1-800-263-1136; 514-283-8300; infostats@statcan.gc.ca) or Media Relations (statcan.mediahotline-ligneinfomedias.statcan@statcan.gc.ca).