HALIFAX, Nova Scotia — Michael MacGillivray sees the arrival of Chinese language electrical automobiles in Canada as a possible sport changer.
“I feel it’ll 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.
“Once I was in China, I used to be very impressed by the Chinese language automobiles,” he mentioned. “They’ve supplies which might be second to none. Their styling is spectacular. The trip could 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 reside to remorse the day they let the Chinese language Communist Celebration 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 fee 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 practically 400 inquiries from completely different sellers throughout Canada who’re very and excited to characterize 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 offers them a foothold within the North American market,” he mentioned.
Normal Motors, Ford, Toyota and Hyundai promote probably the most automobiles in Canada, in keeping with S&P World. Final yr, business 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 technique 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 business consulting agency. “Wherever between 3% to five% of the market is sizable however, nonetheless, not one thing that can change the aggressive dynamic considerably.”
On the road right here, Canadians informed CNBC they’re curious and desirous to have the prospect to purchase electrical fashions from China.
“I feel they’ll destroy the market in a great way,” mentioned Canadian Patrick Hunt.
“So, undoubtedly extra possibilities, extra choices for folks to decide on completely different automobiles,” Canadian Daniel Haim mentioned, “With what is going on on with fuel costs, I feel that it may work out nicely for any Chinese language producer coming right here, particularly with electrical automobiles.”