Oct. 2, 2026 | The week’s top stories and Volvo’s Matt Girgis on PHEVs, sales, more

Chinese automaker Cherry says it plans to launch its Jeikou and Omoda brands in Canada in late 2026, offering electrified vehicles through a nationwide dealership network.

Meanwhile, rivals BYD and Geely are expanding their Canadian operations too.

All three are preparing to enter the market following Ottawa's decision to ease tariffs on a limited number of China-made vehicles.

Sticking with retail, vehicle imports through the Port of Vancouver hit a record high in the first half of 2026 as tariffs reshaped Canadian supply chains.

More than 264,000 vehicles arrived.

That's up 10% from a year earlier.

Imports from Japan jumped 18% as automakers shifted Canadian-bound production away from the United States.

And finally, we end on retail too.

Auto Canada is considering selling off or spinning off its 38 collision centers as it restructures to improve profitability and market valuation.

The dealership group is also shutting down two money-losing digital ventures launched with Kijiji in 2023.

The moves follow extensive dealership divestitures in Canada and the planned sale of its U.S. operations.

And that's a look at some of the top Canadian automotive stories of the week.

Chinese automaker Cherry says it plans to launch its Jeikou and Omoda brands in Canada in late 2026, offering electrified vehicles through a nationwide dealership network.

Meanwhile, rivals BYD and Geely are expanding their Canadian operations too.

All three are preparing to enter the market following Ottawa's decision to ease tariffs on a limited number of China-made vehicles.

Sticking with retail, vehicle imports through the Port of Vancouver hit a record high in the first half of 2026 as tariffs reshaped Canadian supply chains.

More than 264,000 vehicles arrived.

That's up 10% from a year earlier.

Imports from Japan jumped 18% as automakers shifted Canadian-bound production away from the United States.

And finally, we end on retail too.

Auto Canada is considering selling off or spinning off its 38 collision centers as it restructures to improve profitability and market valuation.

The dealership group is also shutting down two money-losing digital ventures launched with Kijiji in 2023.

The moves follow extensive dealership divestitures in Canada and the planned sale of its U.S. operations.

And that's a look at some of the top Canadian automotive stories of the week.