Overview
- Canada began taking import-permit applications on March 1 under a program allowing up to 49,000 China-made EVs annually at a 6.1% tariff, with the first 24,500 vehicles eligible through August 31 on a first-come basis.
- Volvo confirmed it will use the quota to bring back the EX90 to Canada, Polestar is considering applying, and Lotus said the policy could halve the Eletre’s price.
- Tesla’s Canadian website no longer offers Model 3 configuration and shows no Model 3 inventory, with a Reddit post claiming demo units were pulled from lots, a development not confirmed by the company.
- Established automakers with China production, including Tesla, are positioning to route vehicles from those factories to secure early quota allocations.
- Canada’s government is collecting feedback from assemblers, suppliers, importers, and unions through April 13 as it refines rules that could favor local production over higher surtaxes on imports.