CARY, N.C. -

Spring has brought a blooming certified pre-owned vehicle market in Canada. As the CPO market continues to bounce back, automakers were seeing a lot of good signs last month. 

Here's how some of the CPO programs are faring, based on sales reported to Auto Remarketing Canada. 

In May, Subaru Canada nearly doubled its CPO sales from a year ago, moving 527 units, compared to 274 in May 2020.

Through five months, it has moved 2,025 certified units, up from 1,238 in the same period of 2020.

Next up, Hyundai Auto Canada Corp. had its strongest May of all time, selling 1,342 CPO vehicles. This was 16% stronger than the previous May record in 2013.

“Dealers recovered well in May after pivoting to the appointment-only sales in Ontario and Quebec introduced in April due to COVID,” Charles Plewes, manager of CPO & remarketing national sales at Hyundai Auto Canada Corp., said in emailed comments. “The used-car market continues to be very strong with the only limiting factor being a shortage of supply.”

Volvo Car Canada also had its best May for CPO, moving 284 certified vehicles. That beat year-ago figures by 13%. Through five months, Volvo’s CPO sales are up 19%.

“Following a record-setting first-quarter performance and an unprecedented performance in April, Volvo Car Canada retailers carried the momentum, helping us record our best month of May on record … Through lockdowns and inventory shortages, the demand for pre-owned vehicles has remained strong,” said Christopher Nabeta, national manager of fleet, CPO and remarketing at Volvo Car Canada, in emailed comments.

“With a resilient mindset supported by aggressive programs, our retailers have done a fantastic job by overachieving during these times, while taking care of their customers as the appetite for the Certified by Volvo product keeps growing,” Nabeta said.

At Nissan, its certified sales in May came in at 1,003 units, compared to 699 a year ago. Through five months, it has moved 4,338 CPO vehicles, compared to 3,903 in the year-ago period.

Infiniti moved 165 certified vehicles in May, beating the year-ago figure of 99 sales. Through May, it has sold 682 certified vehicles, compared to 541 through the same period of 2020.

“May results reflected a steadying of business, fairly consistent with May results,” said Joel Gregory, who heads up CPO for Nissan and Infiniti in Canada, in emailed comments. “Lockdowns in Ontario partially explain why this area of the country didn’t reach its full potential.”