Philippines auto industry sales may breach 500K units this year

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January 28, 2026 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — Total vehicle sales in the country may hit another record high and breach the 500,000-unit mark this year amid growing demand for electrified vehicles and commercial vehicles, according to the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc. (CAMPI).

“We see that there’s a big chance that the market can reach 500,000 (units) this year…We’re pegging it at around 503,000 (units),” newly installed CAMPI president Jose Maria Atienza told reporters during the group’s ceremonial turnover of leadership yesterday.

Atienza succeeds Rommel Gutierrez, who served as CAMPI’s president from 2012 to 2025.

If the outlook is realized, this year’s total automotive industry sales would be 2.4 percent higher than the record-high sales of 491,395 units last year.

Atienza said sales of CAMPI and the Truck Manufacturers Association’s members are also expected to post around two percent growth this year from last year’s 463,646 units.

Electrified vehicle sales are expected to drive growth for the industry this year.

Atienza said electrified vehicle sales are likely to continue to increase this year.

“We are quite positive that with the introduction of additional models, this trend would still continue,” he said.

Last year, electrified vehicle sales reached 58,905 units, 142.5 percent higher year-on-year.

Atienza said demand for sport utility vehicles and multi-purpose vehicles is also expected to remain strong.

While passenger car sales dropped last year, he said demand may recover this year.

“It would depend on how much the individual brands can introduce new models. There are cycles of demand, depending on the model introduction,” he said.

He said CAMPI would continue to push for programs to support the automotive industry’s development.

“CAMPI will advocate for industry development programs that will help sustain automotive manufacturing in the country,” Atienza said.

“The Comprehensive Automotive Resurgence Strategy (CARS) Program, Revitalizing the Automotive Industry for Competitiveness Enhancement (RACE) Program and the Electric Vehicle Incentive Strategy (EVIS) are all instrumental in overall industry recovery and growth,” he noted.

The CARS, RACE and EVIS are programs aimed at incentivizing local vehicle manufacturing.