General Motors and Stellantis recorded billions in losses this year following a sharp decline in the export of vehicles produced in the United States. US-built vehicles accounted for 28.4% of new sales in Canada during the first half of 2026, down from 35.4% the previous year, J.D. Power Canada reports. This market penetration represents a drop from a 40% average between 2021 and 2025 and was nearly 50% a decade ago.

A 25% US levy on Canadian vehicles sparked retaliatory tariffs from Canada on US automobiles, steel, and aluminum. Canada remains the largest US auto export market with over $100 billion in annual trade, but the US levy will double and expand to cover parts and steel in January 2027. Since January 2025, the US has lost about 75,000 manufacturing jobs, including 25,900 in vehicles and parts, while Kelley Blue Book estimates consumer prices could jump $6,000.