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April 14, 2025NEW MOTOR VEHICLE SALES, FEBRUARY 2025 Year-to-date (January-February 2025 vs January-February 2024, unadjusted)
Compared with January-February 2024, Nova Scotia unit sales of new vehicles (+12.9%) reported a faster gain than the national average, with national unit sales down 3.1%. Sales were up in all provinces except Québec and Ontario. Manitoba had the strongest growth in unit sales, followed by Saskatchewan.
The sales values of new vehicles increased 22.1% in Nova Scotia from January-February 2024 to January-February 2025, the fastest gain reported among provinces. National sales values were up 1.0% with gains in all provinces except Québec and Ontario.
Compared to January-February 2024, average unit prices were up 8.2% in Nova Scotia in January-February 2025. Average unit prices were up 4.2% nationally with increases in seven provinces. Québec and Nova Scotia reported the fastest year-over-year increases in new motor vehicle unit prices while Saskatchewan had the largest decline.
The average price of a new vehicle over January-February 2025 was $52,358 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 $56,999 in January-February with the highest value in Alberta, followed closely by Saskatchewan.
Compared with January-February 2024, sales were up for Trucks/SUVs, and down for passenger cars. The increase was greatest for North American manufacturer sales values, and the sales values of Trucks/SUVs. North American manufacturers saw the greatest increase in unit sales, while overseas manufactures saw declining unit sales, and lagged North American in sales growth. Average sales prices were up for all vehicle types as sales value outpaced unit sales.
Starting with the January 2024 reference month, new data has been released on vehicle sales by fuel type. Zero emission vehicle unit sales were up 26.7% in January-February 2025 compared with January-February 2024, while sales values increased 114.0% and average unit prices increased 68.9%. Other fuel type vehicles, which account for the majority of vehicles sold, saw unit sales increase 12.1% while sales values increased 15.7%, and the average unit price for other fuel type vehicles increased 3.2%.
In January-February 2025, trucks/SUVs accounted for 87.1% of unit sales and 90.6% of sales values. North American manufacturers accounted for 70.0% of Nova Scotia's unit sales and 73.9% of sales values in January-February 2025. Zero emission vehicles made up 6.0% of unit sales, and 11.5% of sales values, while all other fuel types accounted for 94.0% of unit sales and 88.5% of sales values.
Year-over-year (February 2025 vs February 2024, unadjusted)
Compared with February 2024, Nova Scotia unit sales of new vehicles (+14.0%) reported a faster gain than the national average (-8.1%). Sales were up in all provinces except Québec, British Columbia and Ontario. Manitoba had the strongest growth in unit sales, followed by Saskatchewan.
The sales values of new vehicles increased 22.1% in Nova Scotia from February 2024 to February 2025, the second-fastest gain reported among provinces behind Manitoba. National sales values were down 4.8% with gains in seven provinces, with the largest decline in Québec.
Compared to February 2024, average unit prices were up 7.1% in Nova Scotia in February 2025, the fastest increase among provinces. Average unit prices were up 3.5% nationally with increases in eight provinces. Saskatchewan had the largest decline in average motor vehicle prices.
The average price of a new vehicle in February was $52,234 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 $56,789 in February with the highest value in Alberta, followed by Saskatchewan.
Compared with February 2024, unit sales were up for Trucks/SUVs, and down for passenger cars. The increase was greatest for North American manufacturer sales values, and the sales values of Trucks/SUVs. North American manufacturers saw the greatest increase in unit sales, while overseas manufactures saw declines in unit sales and sales values. Average sales prices were up for all vehicle types as sales value outpaced unit sales.
Zero emission vehicle unit sales were down 26.3% in February 2025 compared with February 2024, while sales values increased 57.1% and average unit prices increased 113.0%. The low overall number of zero emission vehicles sold in Nova Scotia (132 in February 2025) can lead to volatility in unit sales, sales values, and prices. Other fuel type vehicles, which account for the majority of vehicles sold, saw unit sales increase 16.5% while sales values increased 19.4%, and the average unit price for other fuel type vehicles increased 2.4%.
In February 2025, trucks/SUVs accounted for 88.1% of unit sales and 91.3% of sales values. North American manufacturers accounted for 70.6% of Nova Scotia's unit sales and 74.3% of sales values in February 2025. Zero emission vehicles made up 3.8% of unit sales, and 9.4% of sales values, while all other fuel types accounted for 96.2% of unit sales and 90.6% of sales values.
Trends
Unit sales of new motor vehicles typically contract in February and remain lower during the winter months. Nova Scotia's unit sales of 3,438 in February 2025 were stronger than those reported in the same month of any year on record.
Increased unit sales and higher average prices have resulted in February 2025 motor vehicle sales values above comparable months in previous years.
Nova Scotia average unit prices have returned to levels seen prior to a large increase in December 2024.
Nova Scotia zero-emission vehicle unit sales were down compared to February 2024, and were at the lowest level since Statistics Canada began making zero-emission vehicle data available in January 2024.
February 2025 zero emission sales values increased $6.1 million compared with February 2024, but declined for the second consecutive month from their peak in December 2024.
Across Canada, national unit sales were down compared with the same month in the previous year.
National sales values for February 2025 were lower than the same time in the previous year, but well above comparable months in years prior to the 2024 peak.
National average unit sales prices have returned to levels seen in early 2024, despite gains made in November and December of last year. February 2025 average unit prices have increased above comparable months in previous years.
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.
There has been a slow decline in market share for North American manufacturers while overseas manufacturers' market share rises.
The market share for zero-emission vehicles has been declining this year since peaking in December of 2024.
Prices for trucks/SUVs (the bulk of the market) continue to rise while prices for passenger cars have plateaued.
Prices for vehicles from all manufacturers declined more slowly in February after rising sharply in late 2024 and falling rapidly in January 2025.
Prices for zero-emission vehicles rose significantly in February after falling in January of 2025. The low overall number of zero emission vehicles sold in Nova Scotia (132 in February 2025) can lead to volatility in prices.
Source: Statistics Canada. Table 20-10-0001-01 New motor vehicle sales
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