FAMILIAR NAMES TOP SALES DESPITE SLUMP IN DEMAND
A look at Canada’s best-selling vehicles so far in 2018
They are, for the most part, longtime leaders. They are the establishment, the obvious choices, the natural ruling parties. They are Canada’s 10 most popular vehicles through 2018’s first six months. Together, they account for only a small fraction of the available nameplates, yet they generate a third of the market’s volume.
Just over a million new vehicles were sold between January and June, according to Global Automakers of Canada, but many of the most popular vehicles
— the vehicles on which the industry depends
— are suffering substantial decreases in demand.
Honda and Toyota sold nearly 5,000 fewer Civics and Corollas in the first half of 2018 compared with the same period a year ago. Yet the same two automakers reported 5,500 extra sales of the CR-V and RAV4.
There’s more to Canada’s top 10 list than just cars and crossovers. Full-size pickup trucks consume 40 per cent of the limelight.
10. Nissan Rogue: 22,404, down one per cent
Faced with growing showroom utility-vehicle traffic, Nissan Rogue volume fell slightly short of 2017 levels in the first half of 2018. The good news for Nissan is the success of its two other small crossovers. Together with the hugely popular Rogue, the Nissan Qashqai contributed 9,257 firsthalf sales, and Nissan sold its first 615 copies of the Kicks late in Q2.
9. Ford Escape: 23,612, up one per cent Historically, the Ford Escape was the preeminent SUV sales leader in Canada. That changed in 2016 when the Toyota RAV4 took over. Halfway through 2018, the Escape sits third among utility vehicles as the current generation approaches its seventh model year. Escape demand peaked in Canada in 2014 with 52,198 total sales.
8. Toyota Corolla: 25,166, down 11 per cent Long a global powerhouse, the Toyota Corolla remains a leading passenger car in Canada as well. The current model, however, is dated in many ways, and is therefore left to trade largely on a reliability reputation and advanced safety technology. Corolla volume is shrinking more rapidly than the passenger-car market overall, in part because demand is shifting to vehicles such as Toyota’s own C-HR.
7. Toyota RAV4: 26,606, up five per cent
In 2016 and 2017, the Toyota RAV4 was Canada’s most popular utility vehicle. Indeed, with the launch of a more style-centric RAV4 later this year, hype could yet see the Toyota take the top spot again in 2018. For now, sales of the RAV4 continue to rise.
6. Honda CR-V: 28,022, up 18 per cent
On track to end 2018 as Canada’s top-selling SUV/crossover for the first time, the Canadian-built Honda CR-V is tracking toward a near-60,000 end-of-year sales total. The shift away from vehicles such as the Honda Accord toward the CR-V and its cohorts has been swift and momentous. Less than a decade ago, Honda Canada reported fewer than 20,000 annual CR-V sales.
5. GMC Sierra: 29,765, down five per cent
General Motors’ decision to market two trucks under different banners means the GMC Sierra and Chevrolet Silverado separately take the No. 5 and No. 4 positions on Canada’s bestselling vehicles list. The trucks are all but identical. Combine their sales and the duo’s 59,975 first-half sales would place GM in the second position, still well back of the leader, but well ahead of the current No. 2.
4. Chevrolet Silverado: 30,210, up eight per cent
In the United States, it’s normal to see the Chevrolet Silverado generating far greater sales figures than its GMC twin. GM Canada’s strategy, on the other hand, has always been different, typically resulting in Sierra being the leader. That trend has flipped in early 2018, if only by the slightest of margins. Chevrolet is on track to sell more Silverados in 2018 than ever before and is therefore eating up significant full-size truck market share as its chief competitors suffer sharp declines.
3. Honda Civic: 35,536, down four per cent
Only a remarkable second-half accomplishment by the No. 2 Toyota Corolla would unseat the Honda Civic, which is set to be Canada’s best-selling car for a 21st consecutive year. The Civic, despite a predictable decrease in volume after 2017’s nine-year high, outsells its nearest rival by a 41 per cent margin.
2. Ram: 48,659, down 16 per cent
Quickly losing full-size truck market share during a year of generational changeover, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles’ line of Ram pickups remains a tremendously high-volume family. But compared to 2017, sales fell by more than 9,000 units in 2018’s first half alone. Now dealers are clearing out remaining 2018 models while accepting the flashier 2019 trucks, a task that will be accomplished with longterm interest-free loans and 25 per cent off discounts.
1. Ford F- Series: 72,308, down eight per cent
Victory seems all but assured and by the end of 2018, the Ford F- Series is expected to complete its 10th consecutive year as Canada’s best-selling vehicle line. F- Series sales include a variety of full-size and heavy duty pickup trucks. Production levels suggest between two-thirds and three-quarters of F- Series sales are produced by the F-150, a truck which now enjoys virtually annual updates. The F- Series’ reign atop the Canadian leaderboard did not occur by the Blue Oval resting on its laurels. Driving.ca