HALIFAX, Nova Scotia — Michael MacGillivray sees the arrival of Chinese language electrical automobiles in Canada as a possible sport changer.
“I feel it’s going to a be an enormous eye-opener,” mentioned MacGillivray, who oversees 10 dealerships in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, Canada.
Because the CEO of Century Auto Group and Sigma Auto Group, MacGillivray is working to develop into one of many sellers within the nation who will promote imported Chinese language EVs. In April, he went to the Beijing Auto Present with different sellers from Canada to determine relationships with Chinese language automakers and get a really feel for the vehicles and SUVs they may finally export to his nation.
“After I was in China, I used to be very impressed by the Chinese language automobiles,” he mentioned. “They’ve supplies which can be second to none. Their styling is spectacular. The experience may be very spectacular.”
Not everybody likes the concept of Canada permitting the sale of EVs imported from China.
The Canadian Automobile Producers’ Affiliation mentioned the choice to permit the sale of Chinese language-made EVs was deeply regarding.
President Donald Trump is much more harsh, calling the transfer “a catastrophe.” U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy posted on X, “Canada will stay to remorse the day they let the Chinese language Communist Get together flood North America with their EVs.”
Formally, Canada is permitting simply 49,000 Chinese language-made EVs to be imported for retail gross sales yearly at a tariff charge of 6.1%, a fraction of the 100% tariff that’s in place for all different automobiles China would export to Canada.
That decrease tariff for EVs has satisfied Chinese language automakers it is time to arrange dealerships.
“We acquired almost 400 inquiries from completely different sellers throughout Canada who’re very and excited to symbolize any of those Chinese language manufacturers,” mentioned Farid Ahmad, CEO of DSMA, an auto dealership dealer in suburban Toronto.
Ahmad is connecting sellers with Chinese language automakers like BYD, Geely and Chery.
“I feel from their perspective it provides them a foothold within the North American market,” he mentioned.
Common Motors, Ford, Toyota and Hyundai promote essentially the most automobiles in Canada, in accordance with S&P World. Final yr, trade gross sales topped 1.9 million automobiles, barely greater than all the automobiles offered in California in 2025.
Limiting the variety of China EV gross sales with a low tariff to only 49,000 automobiles is a method for Canadian leaders to place guardrails on permitting the Chinese language to enter Canada’s auto market.
“They’re being cautious when it comes to how a lot quantity is being allowed in,” mentioned Michael Robinet, vp of forecast technique for S&P World Mobility, an automotive trade consulting agency. “Anyplace between 3% to five% of the market is sizable however, nonetheless, not one thing that may change the aggressive dynamic considerably.”
On the road right here, Canadians advised CNBC they’re curious and wanting to have the prospect to purchase electrical fashions from China.
“I feel they may destroy the market in a great way,” mentioned Canadian Patrick Hunt.
“So, undoubtedly extra probabilities, extra choices for individuals to decide on completely different automobiles,” Canadian Daniel Haim mentioned, “With what is going on on with fuel costs, I feel that it will work out nicely for any Chinese language producer coming right here, particularly with electrical automobiles.”
