TORONTO -

As one conference panelist so succinctly put it, Canada’s used-vehicle industry may be in for a "helluva strong market." 

And it appears the interest in the country’s used-car and remarketing industries is already there. Close to 500 dealers, remarketers and other Canadian auto business leaders poured into The Fairmont Royal York in Toronto recently for what was the highest-attended Auto Remarketing Canada conference in history.

The event, presented by CarProof, featured three days of discussion and insight from Canada’s top used-car business leaders, who touched on everything from the certified pre-owned industry to marketing strategies to the ever-changing remarketing world and more.

Among the hot topics discussed by panelists and presenters was the expansive growth projected in used-car sales over the next decade.

In fact, industry analyst Dennis DesRosiers – who opined to the crowd, "Good news … good news… good news… we are in for one helluva a strong market"  — projects that the 10-year period between 2010 and 2019 will end up showing 30.63 million used sales in Canada. This would nearly be a 28-percent spike from prior decade’s sales total.

Of course, this growth is accompanied by challenges, a shifting landscape, supply concerns and more, which panelists and presenters tackled in great detail.

For instance, they explored the extension of loan periods, the downturn in used supply, data transparency, changes in the wholesale market and much more.

“We’re thrilled not only with the attendance numbers at this week’s event, but with the thought-provoking presentations, discussions and workshops,” said conference chairman Bill Zadeits. “We are extremely grateful for the industry-leading presenters who shared their time and insight, our nearly 500 attendees and all the sponsors who helped make this conference possible.”