Pandemic growth: Employment in the auto repair and spare parts sectors now exceeds pre-pandemic levels, according to DesRosier report

Toronto, Ontario – Employment in Canada at auto repair shops and auto parts stores is now up above pre-pandemic levels in 2019, according to statistics from DesRosiers Automotive Consultants.

Looking specifically at the percentage change in employment in the Canadian automotive industry from December 2019 to December 2023, the automotive repair and maintenance sector grew 4.8% above employment levels during the pandemic.

“Employment in the automotive repair and maintenance sector reached 121,000 workers in December 2023, exceeding 2019 levels.” DesRosier said. “Similarly, auto parts and accessories stores (also) saw employment growth of 4.9 percent compared to pre-pandemic levels.”

However, not all automotive sectors are seeing growth, and compared to auto repair and parts, auto production is lagging behind, down 11 percent overall from 2019 levels.

DesRosier also noted that employment in the broader automotive sector increased throughout 2023. As of December this year, there were 604,000 registered workers, almost at pre-pandemic baseline levels.