Retail sales across Canada’s automotive sector held relatively steady in the first quarter of 2026 despite broader economic weakness, unresolved trade tensions and softness across parts of the vehicle market, according to DesRosiers Automotive Consultants.
Gasoline stations posted the strongest growth in the quarter, with retail sales up 2.1 per cent year over year, DesRosiers reported. In March alone, gasoline station sales jumped 16 per cent compared with March 2025, driven largely by rising fuel prices.
At the other end of the market, used‑vehicle dealers recorded a 1.1 per cent decline in retail sales compared with the first quarter of last year, though DAC said volumes remain near historic highs despite softer consumer conditions.
New‑vehicle dealers saw only marginal growth, with retail sales edging up 0.2 per cent in the quarter. Automotive parts, accessories and tire stores posted similarly modest growth of 0.6 per cent, reflecting a relatively stable aftermarket environment even as the broader economy weakened.
“Retail sales in the automotive market have remained fairly stable even as Canada at large officially entered a recession,” said Andrew King, managing partner at DAC. “These days, stability is a welcome enough outcome given the broader challenges.”
DAC said the quarter’s results point to a market that is holding up better than expected amid economic uncertainty, though growth remains subdued across much of the automotive retail landscape.
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