Auto sales down for eighth consecutive month as May sales fall 1.7%: DesRosiers

SUVs for sale are seen at an auto mall in Ottawa, April 26, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

RICHMOND HILL — DesRosiers Automotive Consultants Inc. says auto sales in May were down from a year ago, marking the eighth consecutive month of declining sales.

The firm estimates 184,000 vehicles were sold in the month, down 1.7 per cent from May 2025.

DesRosiers says while Statistics Canada’s latest GDP data indicated a technical recession, the auto industry has already been in a “feels like” recession in recent months.

DesRosiers managing partner Andrew King says while there were hopes that the market may crack the 190,000 barrier for what is traditionally the biggest sales month of the year, that remained out of sight.

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The seasonally adjusted annual rate of sales for the month came in at 1.78 million, the weakest so far this year.

The sales decline came as Canadian households rein in spending amid heightened uncertainty from the ongoing war in the Middle East, pushing gas prices higher and stoking fears of inflation.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 3, 2026.