Strong Q1 keeps Philippine motorcycle sales growing despite Q2 slowdown
The Philippine motorcycle industry is still growing, but the latest figures from the Motorcycle Development Program Participants Association (MDPPA) show the market has started to cool after a strong start to the year.
From January to June 2026, MDPPA members sold 939,528 motorcycles, up 3.58% from the 907,054 units recorded during the same period last year. With sales already approaching the one-million-unit mark halfway through the year, the industry remains on track for another solid performance.
A closer look at the numbers, however, reveals a different story than the one told in MDPPA’s latest press release.
Photo courtesy of Philippine News Agency
The first quarter carried the industry, with sales reaching 496,868 units, an 11.6% increase from a year earlier. Momentum slowed in the second quarter, though, as sales slipped 4.2% to 442,660 units. MDPPA did not cite a specific reason for the decline, saying only that the market had become more challenging following an exceptionally strong first half in 2025. It’s possible that demand was pulled forward earlier in the year, while seasonal buying patterns, tighter household spending, financing conditions, and broader economic factors may have also played a part.
Another clear takeaway is the continued dominance of scooters. Of the 939,528 motorcycles sold from January to June, 655,004 were automatic models. In other words, nearly 7 out of every 10 motorcycles sold in the Philippines this year were scooters. For most Filipinos, motorcycles are daily transportation, and scooters continue to offer the convenience, fuel efficiency, and ease of use that commuters are looking for. Business motorcycles, or pantra, remained the second-largest segment with 148,989 units sold, followed by underbones with 107,632 units. Street bikes accounted for 24,346 units, while big bikes represented just 2,994 units.
MDPPA President, Erwin Estrada, said the figures reflect the resilience of the local motorcycle industry despite a more challenging market environment.
Looking ahead, the outlook for 2026 remains positive. MDPPA members sold 1,670,352 motorcycles last year, and matching or even surpassing that figure remains possible if demand holds up in the second half.
VinFast electric scooters
Still, there are a few things worth watching. Fuel prices remain volatile, increasing operating costs for commuters and businesses alike. At the same time, electric two-wheelers are slowly gaining ground. Brands like VinFast are entering the market with more affordable electric scooters backed by battery subscription programs, battery-swapping incentives, and expanding dealer networks.
For now, electric motorcycles remain a niche, while gasoline-powered models continue to dominate. But the automotive industry has already shown how quickly buyer preferences can change. Hybrids were once a niche segment too. Today, they’re among the fastest-growing vehicle categories in the country. If the same shift happens on two wheels, will today’s market leaders, particularly the “Japanese Big 4,” have affordable electric motorcycles and scooters in their showrooms before buyers start looking elsewhere?
