New light vehicle sales across Canada softened noticeably in November, with Quebec once again emerging as the focal point of market weakness.

For automotive aftermarket professionals, the data reinforces a familiar theme: slowing new vehicle sales do not necessarily equate to softer service demand.

In fact, reduced showroom activity often translates into longer vehicle ownership cycles, increased maintenance requirements, and greater emphasis on repair over replacement.

According to estimates from DesRosiers Automotive Consultants (DAC), November sales in Quebec fell 16.5 per cent compared with November 2024, reflecting an exceptionally tough year-over-year comparison and broader demand challenges.

From both a percentage and volume standpoint, Quebec’s decline headlined the national results for the month.

However, the province was far from alone. British Columbia recorded a 13.6 per cent sales decrease, while Ontario—despite a smaller percentage drop of 5.4 per cent—posted a more significant decline in absolute volume given the size of its market.

Only Nova Scotia and Manitoba managed modest gains, up 2.0 per cent and 0.9 per cent respectively.

Markets like Quebec and British Columbia, where year-to-date sales have turned negative, may see an accelerated shift toward keeping vehicles on the road longer.

“As we approach year-end, Quebec continued to be the sujet du jour, seeing a significant sales decline against an artificially strong November 2024,” said Andrew King, Managing Partner at DAC. “But concerningly, Quebec was not alone, with widespread market weakness from coast to coast.”

The cumulative impact of November’s slowdown has now pushed both Quebec and British Columbia into negative territory on a year-to-date basis.

Through the first eleven months of the year, new light vehicle sales in Quebec are down 2.0 per cent, while British Columbia trails by 1.1 per cent. Ontario, while still positive year-to-date, has seen its growth narrow as momentum softened in the second half of the year.

Nationally, DAC estimates total November new light vehicle sales at approximately 142,000 units, representing an 8.6 per cent decline versus the same month last year.

Despite the November setback, the Canadian market remains up 2.7 per cent year-to-date compared with 2024, underscoring how much of the year’s growth was front-loaded earlier in the cycle.

As 2025 draws to a close, the question for the industry is whether November represents a temporary pause or a signal of more sustained cooling.

Either way, the uneven regional performance highlights the importance of localized market awareness for jobbers, suppliers, and service providers navigating an increasingly complex Canadian automotive landscape.