Philippine vehicle sales sustained an upward momentum in March 2026, with the industry posting over 39,000 units sold for the month, according to a joint report by the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines, Inc. (CAMPI) and the Truck Manufacturers Association (TMA). This marks an improvement from February’s more than 37,700 units, signalling a steady demand.
Of the total sales figures in March, CAMPI and TMA brand members accounted for 36,104 units, reflecting a modest 0.7% month-on-month increase from February’s 35,842 units. As for year-to-date progress, the group has recorded a total of 105,642 units sold by the end of the first quarter.
However, when compared to the same period last year, total industry sales remain lower. Q1 2026 sales went down by 9.8% from 117,074 units recorded in Q1 of 2025. This decline shows a more tempered market environment.
On the brighter side, commercial vehicles continue to dominate the market, accounting for roughly 81% of total sales, while passenger cars made up just over 19%. This reflects strong ongoing demand for utility-focused vehicles across both business and private use.
The latest CAMPI and TMA report also stated that one of the year’s strongest industry trends is the rapid growth of the demand for electric vehicles (EV), which include battery-electric vehicles (BEV), hybrid electric vehicles (HEV), and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV). Sales of EVs surged to 6,148 units in March alone, equivalent to about 17% of total CAMPI-TMA sales for the month.
EVs also recorded promising year-to-date figures. The report said that EV sales reached 11,800 units, up 36.2% compared to the same period last year. In particular, BEVs showed notably strong growth, rising by over 120%, while PHEVs posted the highest jump at more than 900% growth.
Industry leaders remained largely unchanged. Toyota Motor Philippines retained a commanding lead in March with 17,622 units sold, capturing nearly half of the market. Mitsubishi Motors Philippines followed with 6,239 units, while Suzuki, Nissan, and Honda rounded out the top five brands.
“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,” shared CAMPI President Jose Maria “Jing” Atienza.
Autocar’s Take
CAMPI and TMA’s latest findings show a market that is steady but clearly evolving. Overall sales may be slightly down year-on-year, but the consistent month-on-month gains point to underlying market resilience. The headline maker here is the sharp rise in EV sales.
The local EV market’s fast-paced growth suggests that buyers are no longer just curious about electrified vehicles — they are actively choosing them. With fuel crisis and energy concerns becoming more relevant, the electrified shift signals a solid turning point. The brands that adapt quickly to this demand will likely define the next phase of the Philippine automotive market.
