Almost 40,000 vehicles added to PH roads in May, manufacturers say

Nearly 40,000 vehicles were added to Philippine streets in May to mark an 18.4% increase from the sales in the previous month, data released by the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc. (CAMPI) and the Truck Manufacturers Association (TMA) on Wednesday showed.

There were 39,775 units sold in May, up from the 33,580 units sold in April, but 1.2% lower than the 40,271 units sold in May 2024.

“We are encouraged by the industry’s sustained growth, especially with commercial vehicles driving overall performance. This reaffirms the significant role of the automotive sector in supporting the country’s economic activities,” CAMPI president Atty. Rommel Gutierrez said in a separate statement.

Commercial vehicles accounted for  80.15% of the sales, or 31,880 units, while the remaining 19.85% or 7,895 units, were passenger cars.

A total of 3,613 units sold during the month were electric vehicles — 2,792 hybrid electric vehicles, 801 battery electric vehicles, and 20 plug-in hybrid electric vehicles.

Sales of Asian utility vehicles (AUVs) stood at 7,161 units; light commercial vehicles with 23,671 units; light-duty trucks and buses with 633 units; medium-duty trucks and buses with 288 units; and heavy-duty trucks and buses with 127 units.

Year-to-date sales stood at 190,429 units, reflecting a 1.7% increase from the 187,191 units sold in the comparable period of 2024.

“With strong momentum heading into the second half of the year, CAMPI remains confident in the automotive industry’s positive performance. Continued collaboration between government and industry stakeholders will be key to sustaining this growth,” CAMPI said.

Toyota Motor Philippines Corp. captured 48.13% of the market for the month, followed by Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp. with 19.23%, Nissan Philippines Inc. with 5.18%, Suzuki Philippines Inc. with 4.68%, and Ford Group Philippines with 4.49%.

Philippine automotive manufacturers earlier said they were looking to sell 500,000 units in 2025, on the back of the newly rolled out models and the introduction of more models later in the year. –NB, GMA Integrated News