09.08.2026

Market Insights – 9/8/26

 Wholesale Prices, Week Ending September 5th, 2026

 The Canadian used wholesale market saw a decline of -0.05% in pricing for the week. Car segment prices increased by +0.01% while the Truck/SUV segment decreased by -0.09%. Overall, the Sub-Compact Crossover/SUV segment saw the biggest increase of +1.01%. The largest declines in the Car segments were seen in Sub Compact Car at -0.57% and Mid Size Car with -0.48%. The largest declines in the Truck/SUV segments were Full Size Van with -0.54% followed by Mid Size Luxury Crossover/SUV at -0.42%.

Car Segments 

• The overall car segment posted positive movement last week for the first time since early May 2026. The strongest gains were recorded by Compact Cars (+0.47%), Premium Sporty Cars (+0.16%), Near-Luxury Cars (+0.07%), and Luxury Cars (+0.02%). 
• All other car segments experienced declines. 

Truck / SUV Segments 

• Last week truck values continued to soften but a at slower pace with the overall Truck Market down -0.09%. The largest declines were recorded in, Full-size Van – 0.54%.
• Sub Compact Crossover +1.01%,segments posted the largest gain last week. Followed by Sub-Compact Luxury Crossover +0.55%.

Wholesale Market Commentary 

The Canadian market continued its downward trend, at a slower pace compared to last week. Car segment values experienced a 0.23% change, resulting in an overall increase of +0.01%. Truck segment values presented a 0.07% shift, resulting in a –0.09% decrease. Just over 27% of market segments saw average value movements greater than ±$100. 

Monitored auction sale rates ranged from 17.7% to 72.7%, averaging at 36% while influenced by seasonal trends, political conditions, and firm seller floor prices. 

Auction inventory has slightly decreased, though upstream channels continue to receive priority access. Demand for high-quality vehicles remains strong on both sides of the border. 

Used Retail Prices & Listing Volume 

The average listing price for used vehicles is slightly increasing, as the 14-day moving average was at $38,500. This analysis is based on approximately 160,000 used vehicles listed for sale on Canadian dealer lots.

Market Insights

Economics & Government

• The Federal Government extended the suspension of the fuel excise tax (which has lowered gasoline and diesel prices by 10 and 4 cents per litre respectively) to April 1, 2027. The suspension of the tax was originally set to end after theLabour Day long weekend.
• The Bank of Canada held its benchmark rate at 2.25% for the seventh consecutive time but warned that the ongoing war in the Middle East is a bigger inflationary threat than the tariff dispute with the US.
• The yield on Canadian 10-year government bonds has rose to 3.66%. The Canadian dollar is around $0.721 this Monday morning, holding steady week over week.

U.S. Market

• Auction activity remained consistent this week as wholesale values continued their seasonal decline. Buyers remained selective, paying stronger prices for desirable, clean-condition inventory while showing less interest in mainstream vehicles and several EV segments.

Industry News

• New Car sales in Canada increased for a 3rd consecutive month as August shows a 5.4% increase over last year– an estimated 168,000 units were sold, compared to a particularly weak month last year amidst tariff concerns and price unaffordability.
• VW Group’s supervisory board has approved a restructuring plan to streamline operations and improve profitability-the impact is planned to apply to its labour force and product lines, but have a focus on trying to improve costs at uncompetitive plants to move in line with company targets first, before seeking to layoff workers.
• Honda and Nissan have finalized an agreement to jointly develop electronic hardware and operating systems– in their second attempt to come to an agreement, the two Japanese automakers will co-develop software-defined vehicles to launch in 2029 in an effort to fend off threats from Chinese automakers.
• Jaguar Land Rover is scheduled to cut 4,000 jobs over the next 24 months citing falling sales and tariff impacts– these cuts represent 9% of total employees globally with most of the impact hitting UK operations.
• Mitsubishi’s Pajero SUV returns to the market next year without arrival confirmed for North America– as Mitsubishi brings the fight to Toyota’s Land Cruiser, the Pajero will be a body-on-frame SUV underpinning two smaller models in its wake, also likely to share its platform with Nissan’s future Xterra return.