City and country well represented on Canadians' 2014 automotive wish list

Year-end autoTRADER.ca stats highlight what wheels were most coveted

TORONTO, Dec. 22, 2014 /CNW/ - Whether it was for zipping around the city, or hauling their stuff around in a pickup truck, Canadians' car-shopping list was a good mix of both city and country in 2014, according to autoTRADER.ca's annual list of the nation's most sought after vehicles.

The latest statistics, released today by autoTRADER.ca, Canada's largest online marketplace for vehicles, include Top 10 lists of the most searched vehicles in each province across the country. With 3.57 per cent of all unique searches on autoTRADER.ca this year, the Honda Civic took the top spot in 2014, wresting it from last year's most searched model, the Ford F-150. Ford's popular pickup truck ranked second place, with 2.68 per cent of all unique searches.

Across the country, the duo of the Honda Civic and the Ford F-150—two contrastingly different vehicles—ranked either first or second in six out of the 10 provinces. While the Civic and F-150 claimed their top spots, the BMW 3 Series ranked third, with 2.08 per cent of all unique searches in 2014.

The mixed bag of makes and models stands in contrast to autoTRADER.ca's 2013 Most Searched list, which was dominated by pickup trucks. Still, models such as Toyota's Tacoma, GMC's Sierra 1500 and the Dodge Ram 1500 made their presence felt with appearances on Top 10 lists for Western Canada. Ontario's Top 10, meanwhile, included models such as the Ford Mustang, Honda Accord, Jeep Wrangler, Chevrolet Corvette, and the Porsche 911, with similar makes and models appearing on lists for Quebec and the Maritimes. Popular SUVs in 2014 included the Honda CR-V, the Ford Escape, Jeep Cherokee, and Toyota RAV4.

"The vast majority of Canada is unequivocally truck country," says Ian MacDonald, Director of Marketing at autoTRADER.ca. "But this year's list proves that there is more than healthy demand for passenger and city-friendly vehicles, both import and domestic."

MacDonald adds that exotic models, such as the Lamborghini Gallardo, did not make an appearance on any of the Top 10 Lists for 2014, suggesting that Canadians held fast to a more practical outlook this year. "It's normal to see at least one or two 'dream cars' make the list, but Canadians clearly shopped more with needs—not wants—in mind this year."

autoTRADER.ca Top 10 Most Searched 2014

1. Honda Civic
2. Ford F-150
3. BMW 3-Series
4. Ford Mustang
5. Jeep Wrangler
6. Honda Accord
7. Chevrolet Corvette
8. Honda CR-V*
8. Mazda Mazda3*
9. Porsche 911
10. Ford Escape

*A tie for eighth place, with both models searched equally across Canada

About TRADER Corporation
TRADER Corporation is a trusted Canadian leader in print and online media, managing automotive consumer marketplaces and publications. The company's primary online destinations include: autoTRADER.ca™, autoHEBDO.net™, Autos.ca. autoTRADER.ca offers the largest inventory of new cars and used cars in Canada, available via our website and mobile applications. Visitors buy or sell cars, trucks or other motorized vehicles quickly, easily and conveniently. Buyers can search based on vehicle model, make, colour and geographic location to find the deal that is right for them. Autos.ca is the online destination for auto enthusiasts, featuring car news and car reviews from well-known automotive journalists. Follow autoTRADER.ca on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and on YouTube.

SOURCE: autoTRADER.ca

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