Fuel-driven cars sales down 10%, EVs up 36% in Q1 amid Middle East crisis

Fuel-powered or internal combustion engine vehicles saw a 10% drop in sales in the first quarter of 2026, while electrified vehicles posted a double-digit growth as the global fuel price shock drove a shift to more cost-efficient alternatives.

Combined sales data from the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc. (CAMPI) and the Truck Manufacturers Association (TMA) showed that a total of 105,642 vehicles were sold from January to March this year, down from 117,074 vehicles in the same period in 2025.

Sales of electrified vehicles, however, grew by 36.2% to 11,800 from 8,664 year-on-year.

Broken down, hybrid electric vehicles accounted for the lion’s share of 8,261 units sold followed by battery electric vehicles or full electric at 2,289 units and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles at 1,250 units.

“This continues the rising trend we have been observing the past few years. Electrified vehicle adoption is mainly driven by users' growing understanding and acceptance of electrified technologies. We expect this to grow further because of the country’s need for various energy efficient vehicles,” said CAMPI president Jose Maria Atienza.

“Rising oil prices will surely influence the Filipino motorists driving and vehicle purchase behavior. This will not only accelerate the preference for electrified vehicles but may also highlight the practicality of energy efficient vehicles like smaller and lower displacement cars. The auto industry will evolve based on the market’s requirement,” added Atienza. — BAP, GMA News