Canada May Not Be a Large Enough Market to Build a Business Case for Specialty Cars
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| Canadian Audi fans who have the money to blow on this 450-hp RS6 sedan will have to get a summer home in the Hamptons 'cause it's not going to be available north of the 49th. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
An alarming trend is starting to occur that should have Canadian automotive enthusiasts concerned, if not up in arms. While there has always been a feeling of 'losing out' with respect to sexy European and spicy Japanese performance cars that aren't offered in the North American market, at least we could commiserate together with the U.S.
But lately, for reasons that combine Canada's small market status with regulation standards separate to those of our largest trading partner, automakers are finding it difficult to substantiate business models for a variety of niche - read performance-oriented - and sometimes mainstream vehicles. What does that mean to us as Canadians? Well, some will feel we're being snubbed by the very car companies that have benefited by our loyalties.
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| Pontiac's new 2004 GTO isn't coming to Canada due to a limited run of only 18,000 vehicles. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
While the case of the Pontiac GTO, recently announced as not coming to Canada, has more to do with the overproduction capacity of only 18,000 cars in its Australian facility, the reasoning behind building it in the first place, tradition would normally have about 1,800 cars (10%) trickling northward to keep the brand's Canadian customers happy. Not anymore. That said GM's Isuzu brand has never brought its Axiom model over the line and has discontinued its midsize Rodeo SUV in Canada to boot, but of course no one seems to be complaining.