CAMPI sees 5-8% drop in vehicle sales this year

THE CHAMBER of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines, Inc. (CAMPI) expects a smaller decline in vehicle sales this year than initially forecast, citing a month-on-month increase in car sales in May and recent fuel price rollbacks.

“Three weeks ago, we said [total vehicle sales would be] around 8% to 10% lower than last year. We’ve recalibrated and we’re looking at 5% to 8%,” CAMPI President Jose Maria M. Atienza told reporters on the sidelines of the opening ceremony of the 10^th Philippine International Motor Show on Thursday.

In 2025, vehicle sales reached a record-high 491,395, up 3.7% from 473,842 units sold in 2024.

Mr. Atienza said these sales projections were revised following a month-on-month improvement in vehicle sales in May.

Citing early estimates, he said total automotive market sales reached around 33,600 in May.

“It’s slightly higher than April,” he said.

This would be around 3.7% higher than 32,400 vehicle sales recorded in April. Industry sales in April declined by 17% from March.

Mr. Atienza also noted that the continued decline in fuel prices would likely raise vehicle demand.

He said CAMPI’s full-year sales projection would depend on fuel price movements amid the Middle East conflict, brands’ product mix, and supply and demand.

Energy Secretary Sharon S. Garin earlier said that while the Middle East war remains unresolved, pump prices are now moving closer to the “prewar prices” of around P50 to P60 per liter.

CAMPI earlier said it is scrapping its 2026 vehicle sales target of 500,000 units due to softer market demand linked to the Middle East conflict.

In the first four months of the year, total auto sales declined by 11.8% to 132,867 units from 150,654 units sold in the same period last year.

While electric vehicles remain a bright spot in the domestic vehicle market, Mr. Atienza also noted a decline in the market share of electric vehicles (EVs) to 20% in May from 35% in April.

This came after EV supply was unable to keep up with strong demand for energy-efficient vehicles amid the fuel crisis.

“What we saw is that there’s a big dip because of supply, especially for electrified vehicles,” he said. “There was a big demand last March and April. We hope most of the brands are able to catch up.”

Despite this, CAMPI remains bullish that EV sales will increase this year. “It’s a good time for electrified vehicles. The trend is clearly upward,” he said.

In the first four months of the year, total EV sales skyrocketed by 158.9% to 17,655 units from 6,820 units sold in the same period last year. — Beatriz Marie D. Cruz