Despite a generally cautious economic climate, the Philippine automotive industry posted modest year-to-date growth of 1.7% as of May 2025, according to the latest CAMPI-TMA joint sales report. The total industry volume reached 190,429 units, up from 187,191 during the same period last year.
But while the headline number looks optimistic, the growth story isn’t across the board. It’s the commercial vehicle segment pulling most of the weight, while passenger car sales continue to shrink.
Passenger Cars Decline Over 20%
Passenger car sales dipped 21.4% year-on-year in the first five months of 2025, totaling just 38,725 units. Toyota, Mitsubishi, and Suzuki held on to their top spots, but even the market leader Toyota saw a sharp 28.7% drop in PC sales. Mitsubishi followed with a 9.6% decline, while Suzuki slid 9.4%.
A few brands bucked the trend—MG saw a 33.6% increase in PC sales, while Tesla debuted with 242 electric units. Changan also grew 28% in this segment. But overall, consumers appear to be steering away from traditional passenger vehicles.
Commercial Vehicles: The Industry’s Lifeline
In contrast, the commercial vehicle (CV) category surged 10% YTD, contributing a massive 151,704 units. Toyota once again led the charge with a commanding 48.5% CV market share. Mitsubishi and Isuzu followed, posting 10.3% and 1.0% increases, respectively.
Strong growth was seen in light commercial vehicles (LCVs), which rose 11.8% to 113,364 units, and light-duty trucks and buses, which grew 17.2% to 2,809 units. Even the heavy-duty segment saw a massive 76.5% spike to 496 units, with Foton dominating this niche after a 219.7% increase in sales.
May 2025 Monthly Snapshot: Momentum Continues
For the month of May alone, industry sales reached 39,775 units—an 18.4% year-on-year boost. However, this is slightly down by 1.2% from April’s tally, hinting at a potential mid-year plateau.
Toyota continues to flex its muscle in the local market, with 19,725 units sold in May alone, up 5.6% year-on-year and 20.2% month-on-month. Suzuki, Isuzu, Hyundai, and Ford rounded out the top five performers for the month.
Notably, KP Motors (Kaicene) posted a staggering 90.7% YTD increase, overtaking older brands like Mazda and Chery.
EV Segment Explodes 139.4% in May
The electrified vehicle (xEV) market continues to grow explosively, with May xEV sales reaching 3,613 units—up 139.4% from the same month last year. Year-to-date, the segment now accounts for 5.48% of the entire industry, totaling 10,433 units.
Hybrids dominate the landscape with 8,536 units (81.8% of all xEVs), but battery electric vehicles (BEVs) are rising fast, hitting 1,779 units YTD. Tesla leads BEV sales with a commanding 56.3% share and a May surge of 227%. Plug-in hybrids, however, remain a niche at just 118 units so far this year.
Conclusion: A Tale of Two Segments
May’s report paints a clear picture of diverging trends: the commercial vehicle market is thriving, fueled by demand from logistics and mobility sectors. Passenger cars, on the other hand, continue to struggle under the weight of economic headwinds and shifting consumer preferences.
But perhaps the most exciting story is the rapid rise of electrified vehicles. If this trend continues, the xEV segment could hit double-digit market share before year’s end.
That said, while the industry is showing resilience, brands will need to stay nimble—balancing volume, innovation, and electrification—to keep the wheels turning.
