CANADA: Detroit 3 drag November sales down 8.2%

Canadian new-vehicle sales fell for the eighth consecutive month in November, down 8.2 percent when compared with the same month last year, according to the Automotive News Data Center in Detroit.

Vehicle sales in November totaled 145,984 units while year-to-date sales stood at 1,886,901, down 1.7 percent from last year.

The Global Automakers of Canada, which represents 15 automakers based outside Canada and the United States, called the trend “worrisome” and predicted 2018 would mark the first annual sales decline in a decade.

“Despite an increase in consumer confidence of over two points in November – according to TradingEconomics.com – that has not translated into higher vehicle sales,” David Adams, president of the Global Automakers of Canada, said.

Each of the Detroit-based companies took double-digit sales losses – with FCA was down 35.2 percent. GM was down 18.3 percent while Ford fell 10.7 percent.

“Anytime all three companies are down significantly the whole market will be down as well,” Adams said. “Notably, however Toyota had a new November sales record and was third in sales for the month, and only about 500 units behind General Motors for second spot.”

Ford sold the most vehicles in November taking the sales crown from GM and with one month to go, Ford retains the overall sales lead on a year-to-date basis.

The Ford F-Series pick-up truck also remains Canada’s best-selling vehicle through November, while the Honda Civic retains that distinction for passenger cars.

Trucks comprised 73 percent of the market in November compared to 72 percent in 2017.

Here’s a look at how some of the automakers fared in November:

FCA DOWN 35%

FCA Canada saw it’s sales plummet 35.2 percent to 12,406 vehicles in November as every brand took a double-digit hit.

Dodge sales were down 58.2 percent, Chrysler down 44.3 percent, Jeep 31.5 percent, Ram 20.2 percent, Fiat down 44.6 percent and Alfa Romeo down 14.3 percent.

Flagship vehicles for every brand took a beating. Jeep Wrangler sales were down 62 percent to 679 units. Ram pickup sales dropped 20 percent to 5,387 units. Dodge Caravan sales fell 64 percent to 1,343 units. And Pacifica sales were off 43 percent to 251 units.

Part of the reason for the slide was FCA’s slow exit from fleet sales, which were down 49 percent year over year. FCA Canada said in a statement it “continues its strategy of reducing its sales to the daily rental segment.”

FORD SLIPS 10%

Ford Canada sales fell 10.7 percent in last month, even though the popular Edge had its best November on record with 2,034, a 32-percent increase over the same month last year.

Lincoln MKX/Nautilius sales were up 19 percent to 369 units. The Nautilus name replaced MKX this year after the vehicle was redesigned.

“We’re pleased by the consumer response to the new Ford Edge and Lincoln Nautilus, which are proudly built in Canada,” said Mark Buzzell, CEO, Ford of Canada. “Canadians are also excited about the all-new Ford Edge ST, with customer response towards Ford’s first performance utility being very positive.”

Ford’s car sales were down 41.8 percent, while truck sales fell 7.7 percent.

NISSAN'S BEST NOVEMBER

Nissan Canada had its best November on record even as sales of its luxury Infiniti brand fell 7.4 percent.

The automaker sold 11,446 vehicles last month, up 0.5 percent compared with November 2017.

The Nissan division, alone, saw record monthly sales for November with 10,444 units sold, up 1.3 percent year-over-year.

The Nissan Qashqai compact crossover, full-size Titan truck, mid-size Frontier truck and all-electric Leaf all had record months.

TOYOTA SURGES 10%

Toyota Canada reported another record sales month, with 18,731 units sold in November, up 10.4 percent compared with 2017.

The Toyota division saw sales of 16,787 vehicles, up 11.5 percent compared with last year for the division’s best November yet. The luxury Lexus brand posted sales of 1,944 vehicles, up 1.7 percent compared to last year for its best November yet.

“We’re seeing record numbers of Canadians buying our cars, trucks and electrified vehicles,” said Larry Hutchinson, president and CEO, Toyota Canada Inc.

As Canadians turn to electrified vehicles, Toyota Canada also saw record hybrid-vehicle sales last month. The automaker reported record sales of 2,039 units sold, up 21.2 percent compared with 2018. Hybrid sales represented 10.9 percent of Toyota Canada’s total sales for the month.

HYUNDAI, KIA HEAD IN OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS

Hyundai and Kia brand sales headed in the opposite direction in November.

Hyundai sales were up 10 percent while Kia sales sank 17.3 percent.

The Elantra was Hyundai’s top-selling car with 2,872 units sold, while the Tuscon was the brand’s best-selling light truck with 2,350 sold.

Kia sales were led by the Sorento (1,062 sold) and Sportage (1,018 sold) on the truck side, while the Forte (1,138 sold) led the brand’s car segment.