TORONTO — New light-vehicle sales in November rose 4.1 per cent compared with last year, according to a report by DesRosiers Automotive Consultants says.
The firm estimates 114,966 light vehicle were sold last month. That’s up from 110,448 in November 2021.
However, DAC noted that sales totalled 143,315 in November 2019 before the pandemic struck. That’s a 24.6-per-cent decline.
Monthly sales figures are estimates now that the vast majority of brands report only quarterly.
DesRosiers Managing Partner Andrew King says sales for the year to date stand at 1.38 million units, making it likely that sales for 2022 will finish the year below 1.5 million.
King says if that happens it will be first year the market has fallen below that threshold since 2009.
Among the brands that still report monthly figures, Toyota saw its sales increase nine per cent, with a 32.9-per-cent surge in luxury Lexus sales. The automaker sold 15,202 vehicles — Toyota and Lexus, combined.
Kia sales spiked 58 per cent to 6,469.
Subaru sales were up 13.8 per cent to 3,881. The automaker said its Outback saw its best month ever, selling 1,424 units.
The Subaru Forester, Legacy, and WRX each had their monthly sales surpass the same month last year, according to the automaker. November 2022 also marked the first month that the all-new global electric Solterra SUV has been available for purchase.
Honda was the biggest loser in November, with sales down 22.8 per cent to 8,069. Both the Honda and Acura brands were down, 20.8 per cent and 38.8 per cent, respectively.