The domestic automotive industry was off to a slow start in 2026 with January sales slumping 26 percent versus December 2025 and 10 percent slower than January of same year.
Based on sales figures from Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines, Inc. (CAMPI), Truck Manufacturers Association (TMA), and other available industry data, January 2026 saw total industry sales of 35,053 units, 26 percent lower than the previous month’s 47,371 units sold. The January 2026 industry sales was also 10 percent lower than January’s recorded sales last year.
The the more than 30 CAMPI and TMA members contributed 33,696 units of total January sales.
Of total sales, there were only 6,178 units of passenger cars sold in January for a market share of 20.55 percent, while the commercial vehicle segment contributed the bulk with 27,518 units for a widening market share of 79.45 percent.
All vehicle categories also ended negative except for the light-duty trucks and buses (Category 3), which grew 21.7 percent for comparative figures in January 2025 and December 2025.
Notably, CAMPI and TMA members sold 2,610 electrified vehicles (xEVs) in January 2026, reflecting a 63.1 percent increase from the 1,600 units sold in the same month last year. This number represents 7.75 percent of the total CAMPI-TMA vehicle sales.
But compared to December 2025 sales, the January figure was significantly lower by 40.1 percent.
Of total xEV sales, the hybrid EVs accounted 79.39 percent of the market or 2,072 units.
In terms of market share per brand for January 2026, Toyota captured 48.51 percent, followed by Mitsubishi at 20.78 percent, Suzuki at 4.88 percent, Nissan at 4.72 percent, and Ford at 3.77 percent.
CAMPI president Jose Maria Atienza, however, said that a slower January sales is expected following the yearend rush in the automotive market. Atienza noted that the industry delivered exceptional performance in December 2025, setting the highest December sales record since 2017.
So far, he said, the January 2026 sales level indicates that the industry is still on pace to meet its yearend goal of surpassing 500,000 sales. When market seasonality adjustment is factored in, January sales level aligns with the steady pace observed during the second half of last year.
In addition, CAMPI sees a bright spot in the continuous growth in the electrified segment.
