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Canada's Automotive Retail Sales Rise Modestly in First Half on Higher Gasoline Prices, DesRosiers Says

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Gasoline stations led Canada's automotive retail sector in the first half of 2026, with sales jumping 13.3% year over year amid higher fuel prices tied to the US-Iran war, according to DesRosiers Automotive Consultants in a Wednesday note.

Other segments saw more modest gains, said DesRosiers.

New-vehicle dealer sales rose 0.8% over the period, while remaining at record levels from a dollar value perspective. Accessories and tire stores increased 1.3% and used-vehicle dealer sales climbed 2.4%.

Despite trade tensions with the US, global conflicts and broader economic headwinds, the sector's modest growth is a relatively positive sign, added DesRosiers.

"Kilometres driven, however, have remained relatively stable so far in 2026, providing a solid underpinning to the automotive aftermarket," wrote Andrew King, managing partner at DesRosiers, in the note.

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