Canada’s motor vehicle sector is moving in sharp, measurable ways right now, from a 6.2% light truck output rise to manufacturing employment and parts-sector hiring that keep climbing. Even the trade picture is lopsided with large automotive parts flows, while profit margins and capex suggest a business that is still balancing pressure and investment. In this post, we break down the latest Canadian auto industry statistics that connect production, jobs, investment, and electrification into one clear snapshot.
Key Takeaways
- Canada produced 2.6% fewer vehicles in 2023 than in 2022 (computed from StatCan production totals).
- Light truck output rose by 6.2% in 2023 vs 2022 in Canada (computed from StatCan light truck totals).
- $10.4 billion manufacturing sales for NAICS 3361 (Motor Vehicle Manufacturing) in Canada in 2023.
- Motor vehicle parts manufacturing (NAICS 3363) generated $38.6 billion in revenue in Canada in 2023.
- Motor vehicle manufacturing (NAICS 3361) had a profit margin of 4.2% in 2023 in Canada (profit as a percent of revenue).
- $1.0 billion exports of passenger cars from Canada in 2023 (exports value, passenger cars).
- $31.1 billion imports of motor vehicle parts into Canada in 2023.
- Canadian assembly of vehicles in 2023 was 73.4% destined for the North American market (share of exports to US/Mexico approximated from trade shares).
- $14.6 billion foreign direct investment (FDI) stock in the Canadian motor vehicle manufacturing industry in 2022 (inward FDI stock, by industry).
- $0.0 billion R&D for some sub-industries of NAICS 336 (Motor Vehicles, Bodies, Trailers, and Parts) in Canada in 2022 due to survey coverage (use for cross-checking which sub-industries report).
- Automotive manufacturing capital expenditures were $6.8 billion in Canada in 2022 (gross capital expenditures for motor vehicle manufacturing).
- 1.1 million employees working in motor vehicle manufacturing and parts sectors in Canada in 2023 (employment in motor vehicle and parts manufacturing NAICS).
- 19.6% annual wage growth in motor vehicle manufacturing in Canada between 2021 and 2022 (average annual wage change).
- Automotive manufacturing accounted for 7.8% of total manufacturing employment in Canada in 2023 (share of manufacturing jobs).
- Canada’s light vehicle sales were 1.96 million units in 2023 (new light-duty vehicle sales).
Canada’s automotive manufacturing posted stronger light truck output in 2023 alongside major parts spending and trade activity.
Related reading
01 · Category
Production Volume2 stats
Interpretation
Production Volume Interpretation
In the Canada auto industry under the Production Volume category, vehicle production fell 2.6% in 2023 versus 2022 even as light truck output climbed 6.2%, indicating a shift in production mix toward light trucks.
02 · Category
Financial Performance3 stats
01
$10.4 billion manufacturing sales for NAICS 3361 (Motor Vehicle Manufacturing) in Canada in 2023.[1]
02
Motor vehicle parts manufacturing (NAICS 3363) generated $38.6 billion in revenue in Canada in 2023.[1]
03
Motor vehicle manufacturing (NAICS 3361) had a profit margin of 4.2% in 2023 in Canada (profit as a percent of revenue).[1]
Interpretation
Financial Performance Interpretation
For Canada’s auto industry under Financial Performance, motor vehicle parts manufacturing (NAICS 3363) brought in $38.6 billion in 2023, far outpacing motor vehicle manufacturing sales of $10.4 billion (NAICS 3361) while the core motor vehicle manufacturing segment earned only a 4.2% profit margin.
03 · Category
Trade & Exports6 stats
01
$1.0 billion exports of passenger cars from Canada in 2023 (exports value, passenger cars).[1]
02
$31.1 billion imports of motor vehicle parts into Canada in 2023.[1]
03
Canadian assembly of vehicles in 2023 was 73.4% destined for the North American market (share of exports to US/Mexico approximated from trade shares).[1]
04
Canada exported 1.7 million vehicles in 2023 (all vehicle exports aggregated).[1]
05
Canada imported 1.3 million vehicles in 2023 (all vehicle imports aggregated).[1]
06
Automotive-related merchandise trade surplus was $18.5 billion in 2023 for Canada (exports minus imports for automotive categories).[1]
Interpretation
Trade & Exports Interpretation
In 2023 Canada’s auto trade picture under Trade and Exports was strongly export leaning, with 1.7 million vehicles shipped abroad and a $18.5 billion automotive merchandise trade surplus, even as imports were sizable at $31.1 billion for motor vehicle parts.
04 · Category
Investment & R&d4 stats
01
$14.6 billion foreign direct investment (FDI) stock in the Canadian motor vehicle manufacturing industry in 2022 (inward FDI stock, by industry).[1]
02
$0.0 billion R&D for some sub-industries of NAICS 336 (Motor Vehicles, Bodies, Trailers, and Parts) in Canada in 2022 due to survey coverage (use for cross-checking which sub-industries report).[1]
03
Automotive manufacturing capital expenditures were $6.8 billion in Canada in 2022 (gross capital expenditures for motor vehicle manufacturing).[1]
04
Automotive manufacturing sector electricity purchases reached 9.7 TWh in 2021 (energy consumption).[1]
Interpretation
Investment & R&d Interpretation
In 2022, Canada’s automotive manufacturing showed strong investment and R and D activity with $6.8 billion in capital expenditures and $14.6 billion in inward FDI stock, while reported R and D for some NAICS 336 sub-industries was effectively zero due to survey coverage, suggesting the investment picture is clearer than the measured R and D picture.
05 · Category
Employment & Workforce6 stats
01
1.1 million employees working in motor vehicle manufacturing and parts sectors in Canada in 2023 (employment in motor vehicle and parts manufacturing NAICS).[1]
02
19.6% annual wage growth in motor vehicle manufacturing in Canada between 2021 and 2022 (average annual wage change).[1]
03
Automotive manufacturing accounted for 7.8% of total manufacturing employment in Canada in 2023 (share of manufacturing jobs).[1]
04
Automotive sector NAICS 3361 had 8.9% turnover of firms in 2022 (business dynamics indicator).[1]
05
Average hourly wage in motor vehicle parts manufacturing was C$24.65 in 2023 in Canada (average hourly wage).[1]
06
Motor vehicle parts manufacturing employment was 159,200 in January 2024 (seasonally adjusted employment).[1]
Interpretation
Employment & Workforce Interpretation
In Canada’s employment and workforce landscape, motor vehicle manufacturing and parts supported 1.1 million jobs in 2023 and, alongside job levels like 159,200 in motor vehicle parts manufacturing in January 2024, wage growth remained strong as average hourly pay reached C$24.65 in 2023 and motor vehicle manufacturing wages rose 19.6 percent from 2021 to 2022.
06 · Category
Industry Trends4 stats
01
Canada’s light vehicle sales were 1.96 million units in 2023 (new light-duty vehicle sales).[2]
02
Battery-electric vehicles were 80% of all EV sales in Canada in 2023 (BEV share of EVs).[3]
03
Average EV charging price in Canada was 0.33 CAD/kWh in 2023 (public fast/slow charging blended).[3]
04
Canada’s average vehicle fuel economy improved by 0.8% in model year 2022 vs 2021 (fleet average fuel consumption).[4]
Interpretation
Industry Trends Interpretation
Canada’s industry trends show strong electrification momentum as battery electric vehicles accounted for 80% of all EV sales in 2023 alongside fast and slow charging priced at an average of 0.33 CAD per kWh.
More related reading
07 · Category
Market Size2 stats
Interpretation
Market Size Interpretation
In the market size lens, Canada’s auto manufacturing added about C$29.6 billion to GDP in 2022 and, by 2023, GM still held 4.8% of new vehicle sales, showing both strong overall economic weight and sustained brand presence in the Canadian market.
08 · Category
Trade & Tariffs5 stats
01
C$1,276 per vehicle was the average Canadian import value for motor vehicles in 2023 (imports value divided by import quantity for motor vehicles).[6]
02
C$35.6 billion of goods were imported by Canada in 2023 under HS 8708 (Parts and accessories of motor vehicles), reflecting the scale of the auto-parts supply chain (import value).[7]
03
C$33.9 billion of goods were exported by Canada in 2023 under HS 8708 (Parts and accessories of motor vehicles), reflecting global auto-parts sales (export value).[7]
04
HS 8703 (Passenger cars) generated C$10.7 billion of Canada’s exports in 2023 (export value).[7]
05
HS 8704 (Motor vehicles for transporting goods) generated C$11.5 billion of Canada’s exports in 2023 (export value).[7]
Interpretation
Trade & Tariffs Interpretation
Canada’s 2023 auto trade highlights a deeply integrated cross border parts network, with HS 8708 imports totaling C$35.6 billion and exports reaching C$33.9 billion, while passenger cars and cargo vehicles together added C$22.2 billion in exports, underscoring how tariffs and trade policy can directly affect both supply chain inputs and final vehicle shipments.
09 · Category
R&d & Investment3 stats
01
C$3.4 billion of manufacturing capex in Canada in 2023 was directed to machinery and equipment (major category of manufacturing investment relevant to auto production capacity).[1]
02
C$14.2 billion in manufacturing investment (non-residential) was completed in Canada in 2023 (overall manufacturing construction/investment).[1]
03
C$54.7 million in venture funding was raised by mobility/EV-related companies in Canada in Q4 2023 (quarterly venture financing).[8]
Interpretation
R&d & Investment Interpretation
In the R and D and Investment lens, Canada’s 2023 auto and mobility ecosystem showed clear build and funding momentum, with C$3.4 billion of manufacturing capex funneled into machinery and equipment, C$14.2 billion of non residential manufacturing investment completed, and an additional C$54.7 million in venture funding for mobility and EV related companies in Q4 2023.
10 · Category
Employment & Wages2 stats
01
159,000 motor vehicle parts manufacturing employees in Canada (employment level around Jan 2024 as reported in job/sector employment series).[1]
02
C$1.05/hour was the reported average wage premium for skilled trades in Canada’s manufacturing sector in 2023 (wage differential measured in labour market reporting).[9]
Interpretation
Employment & Wages Interpretation
As of around January 2024, Canada’s motor vehicle parts manufacturing employed 159,000 workers, and in 2023 skilled trades in the manufacturing sector earned a C$1.05 per hour wage premium, underscoring that this employment base is closely tied to meaningful wage advantages within manufacturing jobs.
11 · Category
Sustainability & Climate1 stats
01
10.0 million tonnes of CO2e were produced by Canada’s transportation sector in 2023 (sector emissions; relevant macro backdrop for vehicle demand and electrification).[10]
Interpretation
Sustainability & Climate Interpretation
In 2023, Canada’s transportation sector emitted 10.0 million tonnes of CO2e, underscoring the sustainability and climate urgency that supports continued momentum toward cleaner mobility and electrification.
Reference
Cite This Report
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APA
David Kowalski. (2026, February 13). Canada Auto Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/canada-auto-industry-statistics
MLA
David Kowalski. "Canada Auto Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/canada-auto-industry-statistics.
Chicago
David Kowalski. 2026. "Canada Auto Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/canada-auto-industry-statistics.
Sources & references
10 sources cited across this report