The Philippine automotive market showed signs of a fightback in September, with sales jumping 20.6 percent from the previous month, although they remained below year-ago levels as consumers continued to feel the pinch from the war in the Middle East.
A total of 35,722 vehicles were sold in September, down 5.8 percent from 37,915 units in the same month last year, according to joint data released on October 20 by the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc. (CAMPI) and the Truck Manufacturers Association (TMA).
Despite the year-on-year decline, September sales marked a significant rebound from August, when sales fell below the 30,000-unit mark as weather-related disruptions weighed on the industry.
CAMPI president Jose Maria Atienza said the latest performance put the Philippine automotive industry back on its “recovery path,” raising hopes of a “strong” finish to 2026.
However, he did not say whether the rebound would be enough for the industry to at least match its record-high sales of 473,842 units in 2025.
“Sales of ICE (internal combustion engine) vehicles posted a strong 19% rebound in September, while xEV sales also recorded a solid 14% increase. This continued growth across both segments reflects healthy consumer demand and reinforces our confidence in the market,” Atienza said.
“Based on annual sales trends heading into the final months of the year, we believe the industry is well-positioned to sustain its momentum and deliver a strong overall performance in 2026,” he added.
Still, sales of internal combustion engine vehicles continued to sputter compared with year-ago levels, as they have in the months since the war in Iran broke out.
Commercial vehicle sales, which account for the bulk of the Philippine automotive market, reached 27,923 units in September, down 7.2 percent from the same month last year. Passenger car sales likewise dipped 1.9 percent to 7,799 units.
In contrast, sales of electrified vehicles continued their rally, surging fourfold to 8,959 units in September from just 2,237 units a year earlier.
This included a nearly 2,000-percent increase in plug-in hybrid electric vehicle sales to 1,951 units, while battery electric vehicle sales soared 711.3 percent to 3,075 units. Sales of hybrid electric vehicles, meanwhile, climbed 123 percent to 3,933 units.
Toyota Motor Philippines Corp. remained the country’s top-selling automotive brand in September, with 18,157 units sold.
It was followed by Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp. with 3,962 units, Suzuki Philippines Inc. with 1,466 units, Ford Group Philippines, Inc. with 1,187 units, and Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. with 1,136 units.
Including estimated sales from nonmember brands, CAMPI and TMA said total Philippine vehicle sales reached 40,240 units in September, the third-highest monthly performance of the year. (Logan Kal-El M. Zapanta © Philippine Daily Inquirer)
