Canada imported 2,400 Chinese-made electric vehicles in July, and the vast majority of them were listed at a price under $35,000, according to federal government data.
The government set a limit of 24,500 vehicles from China between March and August of this year, distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.
So far, 6,531 units have come in through the program. That leaves 17,969 slots still available before the period ends, though unused slots can roll over into the next six-month phase.
Most July Imports Priced Under $35,000
Of the 2,400 EVs that arrived in July, 1,965 were classified as “=<35000" — meaning the manufacturer's suggested retail price was at or below $35,000 Canadian. That is over four-fifths of the month's total.
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But no Chinese EV currently on sale to the general public in Canada has a list price that low. The closest candidate is Tesla’s Model 3, which is imported from China and has an official MSRP of $39,490. Some units might have been classified differently by the company, but without more detailed data, it is impossible to say which brands or models were counted in that under-$35,000 group.
The classification system was described in the quota announcement as a “delineation” that would be enforced more strictly over time.
Dongfeng Prepares for Canadian Market
Chinese automaker Dongfeng is making a serious push into Canada. The company has launched a dedicated website for the Canadian market and held an event in Montreal this week to show off its vehicles.
Two models are expected to be the first to launch: the Box, a small hatchback, and the Vigo, a crossover roughly the size of a Hyundai Kona. Both are slated to have MSRPs under $35,000.
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The Vigo comes in two trims. The “Air” version has a 45-kWh battery, an estimated range of 401 kilometers, 160 horsepower, and 170 lb-ft of torque. The “Pro” trim uses a 52-kWh battery and offers 480 kilometers of range, with similar power figures. Dongfeng’s Canadian site lists the Vigo’s dimensions as 4,306 mm long, 1,868 mm wide, and 1,654 mm tall. A Kona Electric, by comparison, is 4,355 mm long, 1,825 mm wide, and 1,580 mm tall.
The Box hatchback has a 42.3-kWh battery and a single front-mounted electric motor producing 94 horsepower and 118 lb-ft of torque. Its listed driving range is 430 kilometers. Standard features include wireless device charging and Bluetooth audio.
Dongfeng says it is working on homologating both models for the Canadian market and has posted an open call for distributors on its website.
