Auto sales down 9% in November

MANILA, Philippines — The country’s vehicle sales declined by nine percent in November from a year ago due to weak demand, but the industry remains optimistic about the final month of the year amid the holiday season.

A joint report from the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc. (CAMPI) and Truck Manufacturers Association (TMA) showed that November vehicle sales went down to 37,352 units from the previous year’s 40,898 units.

Vehicle sales in November were also seven percent lower than the 40,014 units sold by CAMPI and TMA in the previous month.

Passenger car sales fell by 24 percent to 7,456 units in November from 9,836 units in the same month last year.

The commercial vehicle segment also registered a four-percent decline to 29,903 units in November from 31,062 units in the same month in 2024.

Electrified vehicle (xEV) sales reached 3,837 units in November, accounting for 10.27 percent of total monthly sales.

Of the total xEV sales, the bulk or 2,648 units were hybrid electric vehicles while 869 units were plug-in HEVs (PHEVs) and 320 units were battery EVs (BEVs).

From January to November, CAMPI and TMA’s total sales dipped by one percent to 420,776 units from 425,208 units in the same period last year.

The decline was mainly due to a 23-percent drop in passenger car sales to 84,917 units in the 11-month period from 110,645 units in the same period a year ago.

Commercial vehicle sales, meanwhile, rose by seven percent to 335,859 units in the January to November period from the previous year’s 314,563 units.

Sales of xEVs reached 28,102 units from January to November. These covered 22,027 HEVs, 1,814 PHEVs and 4,261 BEVs.

Toyota Motor Philippines Corp. continued to lead the market with its 48.85 percent share.

This was followed by Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp. with its 18.83 percent share, Ford Motor Co. Philippines Inc. (4.75 percent) Suzuki Philippines Inc. (4.75 percent) and Nissan Philippines Inc. (4.57 percent).

Despite the drop in November sales, CAMPI said the automotive industry remains optimistic for the final month of the year when consumer activity typically surges due to the holiday season.

“CAMPI remains confident in the industry’s upward trajectory as manufacturers continue to expand their product offerings, enhance supply availability and support the country’s transition toward sustainable mobility,” the group said.

In addition, CAMPI is committed to continue its work with the government and private sector partners to sustain market growth, strengthen market confidence and accelerate the adoption of energy efficient vehicle technologies.