Vehicle sales rose 6.4 percent during the first two months of the year, led by commercial vehicles, the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines, Inc. (CAMPI) and the Truck Manufacturers Association (TMA) said in a joint report.
The report released yesterday showed total auto sales in January to February increased to 76,768 units from 72,132 units in the corresponding two-month period in 2024.
Commercial vehicles (CVs), such as trucks, fueled the sales increase, making up for the slowdown in the passenger cars segment.
In terms of market share, commercial vehicles accounted for 79.31 percent, while passenger cars had a smaller 20.69 percent.
Commercial vehicles also did well during the first two months of the year, with sales growing 12.6 percent to 60,885 units from 54,048 units a year earlier.
Meanwhile, sales of passenger cars declined by 12.4 percent to 15,883 units from 18,129.
Breakdown by month
In February this year, total sales reached 39,164 units, reflecting a year-on-year increase of 2.9 percent from 38,072 units in the same month in 2024.
Last month’s figure was a 4.1 percent increase from January’s sales of 37,604 units.
Factors behind sales results
Rommel Gutierrez, president of CAMPI, said several factors, including supply chain stability, growing demand for electric and autonomous vehicles, and global economic conditions, influenced automotive sales trends in 2025.
On a positive note, Gutierrez said there has been a notable consumer preference for connected and personalized driving experiences, alongside a shift to environment-friendly units.
Gutierrez said vehicles featuring technological advancements such as AI, sensors and infotainment systems have the potential to transform the industry over time.
“These factors will contribute to the overall positive sales trends in 2025,” he said.
EV sales
Sales of electric vehicles (EVs) in the two-month period stood at 3,416 units, but CAMPI and TMA did not provide comparative data.
Hybrid EVs accounted for 88.8 percent, selling 3,034 units, followed by battery EVs, 33 units, and plug-in hybrids, 47 units.
Last month, Gutierrez said EVs will account for 4 percent of the total industry sales target of 500,000 units in 2025 as the market adapts to electric vehicles.
New models and reasonable prices will attract more buyers, he said.
Edmund Arraga, president of the Electric Vehicle Association of the Philippines (EVAP) said the shift to EVs is gaining momentum, with increasing consumer interest and rising sales figures.
Arriaga cited the Department of Trade and Industry, which said more and more automakers are launching electric cars, e-motorcycles, and electric public transport vehicles.
He said brands such as Nissan, BYD, and Hyundai lead the market, while transport cooperatives are transitioning to electric jeepneys under the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program.
Toyota Motor Philippines Corp. remained the dominant market player with sales of 36,606 units, or a 47.67 percent market share. It was followed by Mitsubishi Motors Philippines’s sales of 15,548 units, with a 20.25 percent share; Nissan Philippines Inc., 4,442 units, or 5.79 percent; Suzuki Philippines Inc., 3,558 units, or 4.63 percent; and Ford Group Philippines, 3,334 units, or 4.34 percent.
