Following a more-than-doubling of its electric vehicle sales in the first quarter, General Motors is now claiming the title of “Canada’s #1 Electric Vehicle Vendor”. In a move that highlights its commitment to electric vehicles, General Motors has acquired more all-electric cars than rival Tesla in the Canadian market, boasting a comprehensive fleet of 13 EV models.
General Motors takes the top spot from Tesla, becoming the leading electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer in Canada during Q1.
General Motors’ electric vehicle sales in Canada skyrocketed by 252% during the first three months of 2025, thanks to the popularity of its latest Chevrolet and Cadillac models.
The Chevrolet Equinox EV took the lead with a total of 1,892 units sold, followed closely by the Silverado EV with an impressive 894 sales. Cadillac’s new entry-level Optiq boasts a robust debut, with 615 units sold, nearly rivaling the 720 vehicles purchased of its inaugural electric vehicle, the Lyriq.
The GMC Hummer EV Pickup and SUV saw a significant surge in demand, with gross sales skyrocketing by 232% to reach 186 units and increasing by 88% to reach 252 units, respectively.
Mixed, the automaker acquired a total of 5,750 electric vehicles (EVs) during the first quarter. Based on GM’s efforts, this was enough for Tesla to rise to become the “#1 EV seller in Canada.”
GM Canada recently took to social media, proudly proclaiming: “We’ve claimed the top spot as Canada’s #1 EV vendor!” The news comes as registration data shows Tesla registered just 524 vehicles in Quebec during Q1, a staggering 87% drop from the same period last year.
Following a pause of federal electric vehicle (EV) incentives by Quebec authorities between February and April 1st, a significant drop in gross sales has been observed. Canada has temporarily suspended its iZEV rebate programme since January, offering up to CAD 5,000 towards the purchase or leasing of an electric vehicle. Like the US federal Electric Vehicle (EV) Tax Credit, which was designed to offset costs at the point of sale and encourage adoption.
General Motors registered a significantly smaller number of Equinox and Blazer EVs in Quebec throughout the quarter. Despite a year-over-year increase in overall gross sales, General Motors’ electric vehicle (EV) sales have plummeted to less than half of their record-breaking autumn 2022 total of over 15,000 units.
The American automaker is set to expand its offerings by introducing three new models: the Cadillac Escalade IQ, Lyriq V, and Visiq.
By the end of the 12-month period, we also expect to gain our first glimpse of the next-generation Chevrolet Bolt Electric Vehicle, with deliveries scheduled to commence in 2026.
Electrek’s Take
General Motors is building momentum through its latest fashion trends, which are now embracing nearly every aspect. In the United States, General Motors overtook Ford and the combined sales of Hyundai Motor and Kia to become the country’s second-biggest electric vehicle (EV) seller in the last year.
With Chevrolet leading the charge, the brand has taken pole position as the fastest-growing electric vehicle (EV) model in the United States, according to recent market trends. With its innovative electrical powertrain, the all-new Equinox has quickly become a top seller, boasting an impressive 315+ mile range and earning the nickname “America’s most reasonably priced 315+ miles vary EV” from General Motors. General Motors’ innovative electric vehicle lineup, including the Blazer and Silverado EVs, is rapidly gaining momentum.
Cadillac has announced a strong start to the year, with retail sales surging 21% in the first quarter, marking its best performance since 2008. Following the launch of our core collections in Q1, the entry-level OPTIQ has made a robust start, with 1,716 units sold.
General Motors plans to take its US electric vehicle lineup to new heights with the highly anticipated arrival of the next-generation 2026 Chevrolet Bolt EV, slated for a release later this year or early in 2026.
