Vehicle sales in the Philippines weakened in the first quarter of 2026, even as electrified mobility continued to gain momentum, according to industry data from the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines, Inc. (CAMPI) and the Truck Manufacturers Association (TMA).
Total automotive sales fell 9.8 percent year-on-year to 105,642 units, down from 117,074 units in the same period in 2025. The decline reflected softer demand across both passenger cars and commercial vehicles, underscoring continued pressure on consumer spending and financing conditions.
Passenger car sales posted the sharpest contraction, dropping 17 percent to 20,151 units from 24,332 units a year earlier. Commercial vehicles also slid 7.8 percent to 85,491 units, although they continued to dominate the market, accounting for 79 percent of total industry volume.
Despite the overall downturn, electrified vehicles (xEVs) stood out as a growth engine. Sales surged 36 percent to 11,800 units as Filipino consumers increasingly shifted toward fuel-efficient and alternative-energy models amid volatile fuel prices and evolving mobility preferences.
Hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) remained the largest segment with 8,261 units sold. Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) reached 2,289 units, while plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) recorded the fastest expansion, climbing to 1,250 units from just 122 units in the same period last year.
CAMPI president Jose Maria Atienza said the continued rise of electrified mobility reflects a structural shift in consumer behavior, reinforced by broader energy concerns following the government’s declaration of a national energy emergency in late March.
“This continues the rising trend we have been observing over the past few years. xEV adoption is mainly driven by users’ growing understanding and acceptance of electrified technologies,” Atienza said.
He added that sustained fuel price pressures are likely to further influence purchasing decisions, pushing demand toward smaller, more efficient vehicles. “The auto industry will evolve based on the market’s requirements,” he said, signaling a gradual but steady transition in the country’s automotive landscape.
