New vehicle sales in the Philippines rose by 3.6% to 40,483 units in June 2025 from 39,088 units a year earlier, according to member wholesale data released jointly by the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc (CAMPI) and the Truck Manufacturers Association (TMA).
The Philippine vehicle market has held out reasonably well this year, despite rising trade uncertainty following the import duty hikes in the US. The market is struggling to move significantly above current levels, however, following the strong three-year rebound from the pandemic lows. The latest government data show the Philippine economy expanded by 5.4% year-on-year in the first quarter of 2025, slightly better than the revised 5.3% growth in the fourth quarter of 2024, underpinned by stronger domestic consumption, export growth and lower interest rates. The central bank cut its benchmark interest rate by a further 25 basis points in its June meeting to 5.25%, down from a peak of 6.5% last year, to support domestic growth.
In the first six months of 2025, the vehicle market expanded by 2% to 230,912 units, from 226,279 units in the same period last year, driven by an 11% rise in commercial vehicle sales to 185,265 units, while sales of passenger cars fell by 24% to 45,647 units.
Toyota reported a 7% sales increase to 111,276 units in the six-month period, helped by last year’s launch of the new entry-level Hilux Tamaraw; followed by Mitsubishi Motors with 44,021 units (+3%); Nissan 11,859 units (-15%); Ford 10,953 units (-24%); and Suzuki 10,732 units (+11%).
Sales of electrified vehicles amounted to 13,490 units year-to-date, including 10,891 hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), 2,439 battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and 160 plug-in hybrids. Not all brands are covered, however, including China’s BYD which is the key player in this segment. Last year, the government expanded its EO12 zero-tariff incentive programme, which runs until 2028, from just zero emission vehicles to also include hybrid vehicles.
CAMPI’s president, Rommel Gutierrez, told reporters: “As we move into the second half of 2025, manufacturers and dealers are focused on enhancing the customer experience, launching updated vehicle lineups, and sustaining recovery momentum across all segments.”. The association remains optimistic that the vehicle market will continue to expand in the second half of the year. It is forecasting full-year sales of 500,000 units, up from 467,252 units in 2024.
