According to the latest DesRosiers Automotive Consultants (DAC) report, the market decline of only 44.0% which can seem like a positive sign.
However, following the estimated 74.6% decline in April—which sent Canadian new light vehicle sales levels back in time to roughly the early 1950’s—May’s year over year decline can evoke a touch of cautious optimism as the first tentative shoots of recovery spring up from a badly damaged marketplace.
An estimated total of 113,224 new light vehicles were sold in Canada in May, an increase from the 45,833 units sold in April – the month which hopefully marked the nadir of the current downturn.
As dealerships slowly reopen—even with reduced hours or appointment-only visits—the new light vehicle sales market may well and truly have begun the arduous climb back to recovery.
Governments—at all levels—seem to be following through on the promise of re-opening the country and breathing life back into the economy. So, a touch of optimism for the coming weeks is warranted – and attention can be focused toward the shape and the speed that the recovery will follow.
The ongoing situation remains in flux and an already trying year could prove to have a few tricks left up its sleeves yet.
DAC will continue to provide analysis and commentary on the on-going situation as well as the speed and shape of this recovery as the situation continues to develop in the coming weeks.
* Stay tuned, a more detailed article will follow shortly.