53% of Canadians Say Chinese Origin Won't Stop Them Buying an EV

A new Nanos Research poll conducted for Bloomberg News finds that 53% of Canadians say knowing an electric vehicle was made in China would have no effect on their purchasing decision — a dramatic reversal from 2024, when 61% said Chinese manufacturing would make them less likely to buy.

The numbers

• 53% — no effect on purchase decision (up from 25% in 2024)
• 15% — more likely to buy if Chinese-made (up from 9% in 2024)
• 28% — less likely to buy (down from 61% in 2024)

The poll of 1,009 Canadians was conducted online and by phone from Jan. 31 to Feb. 4, 2026, with a margin of error of 3.1 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.

What changed

Canada's pivot began after President Trump imposed tariffs on Canadian autos regardless of the North American trade agreement. In response, Carney negotiated a January 2026 deal with Beijing: a 6.1% tariff (down from 100%) on up to 49,000 Chinese EVs annually, with China rolling back duties on Canadian canola and lobster. The quota includes a provision reserving space for vehicles priced at $35,000 CAD or less.

Industry and provincial pushback

Ontario Premier Doug Ford has called Chinese EVs "Chinese spy vehicles." Falak Kothari, manufacturing industry leader at Marsh Canada, noted that allowing low-cost Chinese cars "can open the market in terms of affordability, but it does come with its share of concerns around security, privacy and where that data ultimately goes."

Joint-venture ambition

Industry Minister Mélanie Joly has pitched a "build where you sell" model to BYD, Chery, and Geely — aiming for Canadian-majority joint ventures that would produce vehicles domestically with secure software and Canadian parts content. BYD has also expressed interest in operating the charging network.

Tesla is the early quota winner

Data shows Tesla's Shanghai-built Model 3 and Model Y have claimed the bulk of the first quota window. BYD, Chery, and Geely are testing vehicles in Canada (including a Sealion 7 spotted in Markham) but have not yet launched retail sales.

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