Auto sales show May rebound

Automotive sales rebounded in May following a two-month slump, an industry group reported on Wednesday.

According to a joint report of the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc. (CAMPI) and the Truck Manufacturers Association, the industry made 39,775 sales in May, up by 18.4 percent compared to the 33,580 units sold last April.

Commercial vehicles gained the biggest market share on May’s total industry sales of 31,880 units sold, followed by light commercial vehicles (23,671); and passenger cars with 7,895 units sold, among other segments.

Year-to-date, the industry has produced 190,429 units as of May 2025, reflecting a modest 1.7 percent growth compared to the same period last year, when sales totaled 187,191 units.

“We are encouraged by the industry’s sustained growth, especially with commercial vehicles driving overall performance. This reaffirms the significant role of the automotive sector in supporting the country’s economic activities,” CAMPI president Rommel R. Gutierrez said.

CAMPI confidence high

“With strong momentum heading into the second half of the year, CAMPI remains confident in the automotive industry’s positive performance. Continued collaboration between government and industry stakeholders will be key to sustaining this growth,” he added.

Toyota Motor Philippines Corporation remains the dominant market player with 48.13 percent share, followed by Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corporation with 19.23 percent, Nissan Philippines, Inc. with 5.19 percent, Suzuki Philippines, Inc. with 4.68 percent, and the Ford Group Philippines at 4.49 percent share.

Reacting to this, Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation chief economist Michael Ricafort said the rebound was due to more working and selling days in May 2025 against the greater number of non-working holidays in April 2025.

“So the month-on-month pick-up in vehicle sales is somewhat expected. However, the year-to-date sales remain softer,” according to Ricafort.