In the Spring of 2020, the new light vehicle sales market was hit hard by the COVID-related downturn.

During the stabilization and recovery that occurred in the year since then, Ontario has lagged behind the other provinces. “Ontario’s comparatively poor performance has been a notable hindrance to the overall market recovery” commented Andrew King, Managing Partner of DesRosiers Automotive Consultats. “However, this pattern seems to have abated in April with Ontario noting impressive growth relative to the disaster that was April of last year”.

In April 2021, Ontario’s performance appeared to have ramped up, with sales rising from an estimated 15,470 to 60,797 units sold; an increase of 293.0%. In fact, Ontario noted the second highest increase for the month, behind Quebec’s massive 542.4% increase and just ahead of Newfoundland’s 277.3% increase.

Year-to-date, Ontario still lags behind the other provinces, though hopefully has turned the corner and will continue its momentum in May.