HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA — Michael MacGillivray sees the arrival of Chinese electric vehicles in Canada as a potential game changer.
“I think this is going to be a huge eye-opener,” said MacGillivray, who oversees 10 dealerships in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, Canada.
As CEO of Century Auto Group and SIGMA Auto Group, MacGillivray is working to become one of the country’s dealerships that will sell imported Chinese electric vehicles. In April, he visited the Beijing Auto Show with other Canadian dealers to establish relationships with Chinese automakers and get a sense of what cars and SUVs they could potentially export to his country.
“When I was in China, I was very impressed by Chinese vehicles,” he said. “They have materials that are second to none. Their style is impressive. The ride is very impressive.”
Not everyone likes the idea of Canada allowing the sale of electric vehicles imported from China.
The Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers’ Association said the decision to allow the sale of electric vehicles made in China was deeply concerning.
President Donald Trump is even harsher, calling the decision a “disaster.” US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy posted on X: “Canada will rue the day it let the Chinese Communist Party flood North America with its electric vehicles. »
Officially, Canada allows the annual importation of just 49,000 Chinese-made electric vehicles for retail sale at a tariff rate of 6.1%, a fraction of the 100% tariff that is in place for all other vehicles China would export to Canada.
This drop in customs duties on electric vehicles convinced Chinese automakers that it was time to create concessions.
“We have received almost 400 inquiries from different dealerships across Canada who are very interested and excited to represent one of these Chinese brands,” said Farid Ahmad, CEO of DSMA, an auto broker in suburban Toronto.
Ahmad connects dealerships with Chinese automakers like BYD, Geely and Chery.
“I think from their perspective it gives them a foothold in the North American market,” he said.
General engines, FordToyota and Hyundai sell the most vehicles in Canada, according to S&P Global. Last year, industry sales exceeded 1.9 million vehicles, slightly more than all vehicles sold in California in 2025.
Limiting the number of sales of electric vehicles in China with a low price to only 49,000 vehicles is a way for Canadian leaders to put safeguards to allow the Chinese to enter the Canadian automobile market.
“They pay attention to how much volume is allowed,” said Michael Robinet, vice president of forecasting strategy at S&P Global Mobility, an auto industry consulting firm. “A market share of between 3 and 5% is important, but it will nevertheless not significantly change the competitive dynamic.”
On the streets of Nova Scotia, Canadians told CNBC they were curious and eager for the chance to buy electric models from China.
“I think they are going to destroy the market in a good way,” said Canadian Patrick Hunt.
“So definitely more chances, more options for people to choose different vehicles,” said Canadian Daniel Haim. “With what’s happening with gas prices, I think it’s going to work well for any Chinese manufacturer coming here, especially with electric vehicles.”