April auto sales down 3.9% amid high gas prices, economic challenges

DesRosiers Automotive Consultants Inc. says April auto sales were down from a year ago but still maintained a “reasonable selling pace,” given the economic headwinds.

The firm estimates 178,000 vehicles were sold in April, down 3.9% from last year.

DesRosiers managing partner Andrew King says April sales seem somewhat more palatable than they first appear, given trade tensions and sky-high gas prices.

King also says the resurgence of zero-emission vehicles in March cooled off a tad in April. 

However, he says electric vehicle sales could rebound in the coming months as Tesla brings back its Model 3 vehicles with a lower price tag.

The federal government replaced its EV rebate program with an EV affordability program in February, which allows for an incentive of up to $5,000 on car purchases with a final value of $50,000 or less. That, in turn, slightly boosted EV sales in March.

The Canadian Press

The Canadian Press is a national news agency headquartered in Toronto and founded in 1917.