Philippine vehicle sales slowed in April 2026 as rising fuel concerns and cautious consumer spending continued to weigh on the local automotive industry. Despite the fall, the demand for electrified vehicles continued to rise. This is according to the latest joint report released by the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines, Inc. and the Truck Manufacturers Association.
The report showed total industry sales reached around 32,400 units in April 2026, down 17% from the previous month and 8% lower compared to the same period last year. CAMPI and TMA members accounted for 27,225 units sold during the month.
Despite the decline, electrified vehicles or EVs continued to gain ground in the Philippine automotive market. EVs made up 22% of total CAMPI-TMA sales in April, improving by five percentage points from March as more Filipino buyers shifted toward fuel-efficient mobility options. Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs) accounted for 70% of total EV sales, followed by Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs) at 23% and Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) at 7%.
“While the market has not fully recovered from last year’s second semester slowdown, this was further affected by the oil crisis with customers carefully considering their car purchase,” shared CAMPI President Jose Maria Atienza. “The customers are very much aware of what’s practical during these times, thus the increased demand for energy efficient vehicles like xEVs and lower displacement, fuel-efficient Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) vehicles,” he added.
Year-to-date data further reflected the softer market environment. Total industry sales from January to April 2026 reached 132,867 units, an 11.8% decline from the 150,654 units sold during the same period in 2025. Commercial vehicles remained the dominant segment with 107,121 units sold, accounting for over 80% of the market. Passenger cars contributed 25,746 units.
Among brands, Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP). maintained its market leadership with 14,284 units sold in April, equivalent to a 52.47% market share. Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp (MMPC). followed with 3,771 units and a 13.85% share. Suzuki Philippines Inc (SPH). ranked third with 1,339 units, while Ford Philippines and Isuzu Philippines Corp. (IPC) completed the top five.
The report also highlighted strong growth in the electrified vehicle segment. Year-to-date xEV sales surged 158.9% to 17,655 units compared to 6,820 units in the same period last year. HEVs led the category with 12,368 units sold, while PHEVs posted the fastest growth rate at more than 2,500% year-on-year.
CAMPI said consumers are now prioritizing practical and fuel-efficient vehicles, a trend expected to remain visible at the upcoming Philippine International Motor Show (PIMS) scheduled on June 4 to 7 at the World Trade Center Metro Manila.
Autocar’s Take
The latest CAMPI-TMA sales report reflects how Filipino car buyers are adapting to rising fuel costs and economic uncertainty. While overall vehicle sales declined in April 2026, the strong growth of electrified vehicles reveals a significant shift in consumer priorities.
At this point, hybrid vehicles, plug-in hybrids, and EVs are no longer novelty products. These electrified vehicles are now becoming practical options for motorists looking to save on fuel and long-term ownership costs.
The Philippine automotive industry may be facing a slowdown today, but the continued rise of EV sales signals where the market is heading next. Carmakers that focus on fuel efficiency and affordability are likely to stay ahead in 2026.
