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May 14, 2025NEW MOTOR VEHICLE SALES, MARCH 2025 Year-to-date (January-March 2025 vs January-March 2024, unadjusted)
Compared with January-March 2024, Nova Scotia unit sales of new vehicles (+13.8%) reported a faster gain than the national average, with national unit sales up 1.8%. Sales were up in all provinces except Québec. Manitoba had the strongest growth in unit sales, year-to-date.
The sales values of new vehicles increased 21.5% in Nova Scotia from January-March 2024 to January-March 2025. This was the third fastest gain reported among provinces behind Newfoundland and Labrador and Manitoba. National sales values were up 5.7% with gains in all provinces except Québec.
Compared to January-March 2024, average unit prices were up 6.8% in Nova Scotia in January-March 2025. Average unit prices were up 3.8% nationally with increases in seven provinces. Nova Scotia reported the fastest year-to-date increases in new motor vehicle unit prices while Saskatchewan had the largest decline.
The average price of a new vehicle over January-March 2025 was $51,536 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 $56,576 in January-March with the highest value in Alberta.
Compared with January-March 2024, sales were up for Trucks/SUVs, and down for passenger cars. North American manufacturers saw faster increases in unit sales and sales values compared to overseas manufactures. 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 4.4% in January-March 2025 compared with January-March 2024, while sales values increased 75.0% and average unit prices increased 67.6%. Other fuel type vehicles, which account for the majority of vehicles sold, saw unit sales increase 14.4% while sales values increased 17.4%, and the average unit price for other fuel type vehicles increased 2.6%.
In January-March 2025, trucks/SUVs accounted for 87.1% of unit sales and 90.7% of sales values. North American manufacturers accounted for 70.6% of Nova Scotia's unit sales and 74.0% of sales values in January-March 2025. Zero emission vehicles made up 5.2% of unit sales, and 10.3% of sales values, while all other fuel types accounted for 94.8% of unit sales and 89.7% of sales values.
Year-over-year (March 2025 vs March 2024, unadjusted)
Compared with March 2024, Nova Scotia unit sales of new vehicles (+15.1%) reported a faster gain than the national average (+9.0%). Sales were up in all provinces except Québec. Manitoba had the strongest growth in unit sales compared to March 2024.
The sales values of new vehicles increased 20.7% in Nova Scotia from March 2024 to March 2025. National sales values were up 12.7% with gains in all provinces except Québec. The strongest growth in sales value was in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Compared to March 2024, average unit prices were up 4.8% in Nova Scotia in March 2025. Average unit prices were up 3.3% nationally with increases in seven provinces. Ontario had the largest increase in average motor vehicle prices while Manitoba had the largest decline.
The average price of a new vehicle in March was $50,432 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 $56,025 in March with the highest value in Alberta.
Compared with March 2024, unit sales were up for Trucks/SUVs, and down for passenger cars. Growth in North American manufactures outpaced growth in overseas unit sales and sales values, though overseas average price growth outpaced North American average prices. Average sales prices were up for all vehicle types (except passenger cars) as sales value outpaced unit sales.
Zero emission vehicle unit sales were down 22.6% in March 2025 compared with March 2024, while sales values increased 30.8% and average unit prices increased 69.1%. The low overall number of zero emission vehicles sold in Nova Scotia (205 in March 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 17.6% while sales values increased 19.8%, and the average unit price for other fuel type vehicles increased 1.9%.
In March 2025, trucks/SUVs accounted for 87.1% of unit sales and 90.7% of sales values. North American manufacturers accounted for 71.4% of Nova Scotia's unit sales and 74.1% of sales values in March 2025. Zero emission vehicles made up 4.0% of unit sales, and 8.7% of sales values, while all other fuel types accounted for 96.0% of unit sales and 91.3% of sales values.
Trends
Unit sales of new motor vehicles are typically lower in the winter months and rebound in March. Nova Scotia's unit sales of 5,063 in March 2025 were stronger than those reported in the same month of any year since 2017.
Increased unit sales and higher average prices have resulted in March 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.
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 were down compared to March 2024, though sales values were above their March 2024 value.
Across Canada, national unit sales have rebounded from the typical winter contraction and are above any comparable month since 2019.
National sales values for March 2025 were above values in comparable months in recent history.
National average unit sales prices have returned to levels seen in early 2024, despite gains made in November and December of last year. March 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.
Over the last twenty years, there has been a slow decline in market share for North American manufacturers while overseas manufacturers' market share rises. In recent years, market shares for North American and overseas manufactures have stabilized.
The market share for new zero-emission vehicles has been declining this year since peaking in December of 2024.
Prices for trucks/SUVs (the bulk of the market) as well as passenger cars have fallen from their recent peak at the end of 2024.
Prices for vehicles from North American manufacturers continued to decline in March while prices for vehicles from overseas manufactures remained largely unchanged.
Average prices for zero-emission vehicles have trended up since mid-2024. The low overall number of zero emission vehicles sold in Nova Scotia (205 in March 2025) can lead to volatility in prices.
Source: Statistics Canada. Table 20-10-0001-01 New motor vehicle sales