Car troubles: Maritimes see short supply, but high demand
Used cars have become harder to come by in the Maritimes these days– with high demand, but low supply.
"At our location, being in the business for 31 years, the last one to two years have been very trying," says Neil Stanton, the president and owner of Look & Tel Auto in Saint John.
"The supply of vehicles from our normal sources from the auctions in Moncton, Halifax, Montreal – have been diminished."
Stanton says at their location on Rothesay Avenue, inventory is about two thirds of where it normally is this time of year – and getting them in is also coming at a higher cost.
"The prices of used cars at the auction level where we purchase them, are up over 40 per cent than they were a year ago," says Stanton. "So it’s driving the price of vehicles right through the roof."
But it’s not just used cars that are in shorter supply these days – those in the market for a new vehicle are also still having a hard time.
"Car parts, things like computer chips, which almost every new vehicle relies on, were delayed," says John Shmuel, the managing editor for RATESDOTCA. "And that resulted in a decline in availability and an increase in wait times for new vehicles."
A new survey for RATESDOTCA shows that over 40 per cent of Canadians have changed their plans to purchase a vehicle due to the shortage of new ones and the rising prices of used vehicles.
"I mean, we did this survey in April," says Shmuel. "I wouldn’t be surprised if that number is even higher now given that in between that time as I said we saw a big Bank of Canada rate increase."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Police arrest 3 in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
Five areas Canada's foreign interference commissioner says needs more investigation
Commissioner Marie-Josee Hogue released her interim report examining foreign election interference on Friday. Here are five elements of the issue that Hogue says she needs to further probe before she can make conclusions or recommendations.
Police officer hit by driver of fleeing vehicle in Toronto
York Regional Police say they are continuing to search for a suspect in an auto theft investigation who was captured on video running over a police officer in Toronto last month.
Why your airfare may be getting more expensive
Skyrocketing airfare prices are linked to heightened competition and rising food and fuel, according to the CAA.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
New weight-loss drug Wegovy not a 'magic bullet,' doctor warns
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.
Funeral today for broadcasting legend and voice of 'Hockey Night in Canada' Bob Cole
A funeral is being held today for hockey broadcasting legend Bob Cole in his hometown of St. John's, N.L.
Foreign meddling 'did not affect' overall federal election results: inquiry report
Foreign interference by China did not affect the overall results of the 2019 and 2021 general elections won by Justin Trudeau's Liberals, a federal commission of inquiry has found.