THE Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines (Campi) has abandoned its 2026 sales target with demand having markedly dropped due to the war in the Middle East.
“We announced 500,000 units as a milestone for this year. That is not our main goal anymore considering the ongoing fuel crisis,” Campi President Jose Maria Atienza said on Wednesday.
He noted that sales had fallen by “around 8 to 10 percent,” and “we see the situation continuing to [the] year-end.”
Campi and the Truck Manufacturers Association (TMA) last month reported selling 36,104 units in March, 0.7 percent more than in February as electric vehicle (EV) take-up surged in the wake of surging fuel prices.
Compared to a year earlier, however, sales were down 10.45 percent.
Year to date, automotive sales fell by 9.8 percent to 105,642 units.
Atienza, who spoke at a press conference about the upcoming Philippine International Motor Show (PIMS), said Campi was now focusing on customers’ mobility needs, which are shifting to electric vehicles.
“We see some good points in terms of electrified vehicles. It’s jumped up around 40 percent from last year,” he said.
Campi-TMA data showed that EVs accounted for 17.03 percent of March sales at 6,148 units, 101.3 percent more than in February and 224.4 percent up year on year.
The January-March total ballooned by 36.2 percent to 11,800 and accounted for 11.7 percent of total automotive sales.
With demand rising, Campi is pushing for the extension of the zero-tariff incentive for EV imports, which will expire in 2028.
Still, automakers are not giving up on fossil fuel-powered vehicles and want the government to continue providing support.
“It’s not only electrified vehicles, but there’s also a growing demand for other types of vehicles, including internal combustion engine vehicles. There should also be support,” he said.
The Trade department last month said that it was scrapping the Revitalizing the Automotive Industry for Competitiveness Enhancement program in favor of the Electric Vehicle Incentive Strategy.
The 10th edition of the PIMS, which will be held from June 4 to 7 at the World Trade Center, will see EVs taking up approximately half the floor space.
The participating manufacturers — BAIC, Chery, Foton, Geely, Honda, Isuzu, Jetour, Kia, MG, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Omoda & Jaecoo, Subaru, Suzuki, Tesla, Toyota and Vinfast — will display over 150 models, about half of which will be EVs.
“This motor show now becomes even more relevant as the country confronts challenges related to the ongoing crisis,” Atienza said.
“We are hoping to target at least about 50,000 people to join us in the show,” he added.
