Canadian Auto Sales Rise for Fourth Month, up 3.4% Y/Y in September 2026, DesRosiers Says

11:20 AM EDT, 10/02/2026 (MT Newswires) -- Canadian auto sales rose 3.4% year-over-year in September, marking the fourth straight monthly rise despite US-Canada tensions, an extended Middle East crisis, and tariffs, said DesRosiers Automotive Consultants in a note on Friday. In September, an estimated 168,000 units sold, up 3.4% from the 163,000 units in the same month last year, the research group said. Looking to the fourth quarter, the group has concerns regarding whether sales would be brought forward in the Zero Emission Vehicle market in light of declining federal and provincial incentives at the end of the year, and if there is a formal launch of one or more of the Chinese brands. "The market has shown remarkable stability in recent months with the SAAR for September of 1.91 million staying in its recent range, when the 1 extra selling day in September 2026 is taken into account," said DesRosiers Automotive Consultants Managing Partner Andrew King. "While the majority of vehicle companies are still negative YTD there have been some notable hopeful signs in the summer sales gains." DesRosiers noted that Volkswagen is leading the pack year-to-date in terms of gains for higher volume mass market brands with sales of 74 thousand units, up 15.1% from 2025. Toyota and Stellantis also had "notable" gains amongst mass market brands with sales up 6.8% and 3.9% respectively, for the year thus far, according to DesRosiers. Lexus, Mercedes, and BMW were all closely grouped with sales separated by just a few thousand units heading into Q4 in the luxury market, it added.