While the situation for U.S. auto dealers tends to return to pre-pandemic levels, the situation remains rather difficult on this side of the border, according to DesRosiers Automotive.

Based on a cross-Canada survey of various dealers, the specialized firm estimates that new vehicle inventories were only at 42% of their normal levels during the first quarter of the year. Still, that’s a notable improvement from the same time last year, when dealers claimed their inventory was just 19.4% of normal.

Of all the provinces, Ontario is doing the best with an average of 67.2 accessible vehicles per dealer, while the normal average is 139. Manitoba and Saskatchewan are in bottom of the pack with only 42.8 vehicles per brand.

According to DesRosiers, 49.5% of Canadian dealerships noted an improvement in vehicle affordability during the quarter. Nearly 50% (48.8%) of them say there will be noticeable improvements in the next year. We will therefore have to wait — still — to get our hands on a new vehicle.