Sunday, June 15, 2025

Motorcycle assembly ramped up for export

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Assemblers of motorcycles in the Philippines are expanding their operations to support not just the domestic demand but exports as well.

Secretary Ramon Lopez told the Security Bank Economic Forum yesterday the industry registered a 22 percent production increase as of January 2021 compared to previous year.

According to Lopez, Yamaha Motor Philippines Inc. has announced the expansion of its Batangas operations to produce new models in the country creating 1,000 more jobs while Honda Philippines will start exporting its motorcycles to New Zealand this quarter.

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Lopez also cited expansion plans of other players which include assembly of bigger bikes for the domestic market, as well as export to China and other Asean countries.

The Philippines has 17 motorcycle assemblers, four Japanese, 12 Chinese and one European.

“This is a fast growing sector for transportation and mobility,” Lopez said.

Tomoihiro Ando, executive director of the Japan External Trade Organization in the Philippines, for his part said the country has the potential to become a major market for motorcycles.

Ando said sales of motorcycles are estimated atmore 2 million units per year including those sold by those that are not members of the Motorcycle Development Program Participants Association (MDPPA).

This level, he said is a typical size of an Asian market.

Ando said in 2017, production by the MDPPA hit more than 1 million units.

This volume, he said, can motivate a manufacturer to localize inputs.

But he noted regional competition is a factor as free trade agreements have been improving every year.

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