Motorcycle Sales Near 1M Units as Fuel Prices Drive Market Shift

MOTORCYCLE SALES rose 3.58% in the first half, with buyers seeking cheaper mobility alternatives due to high fuel prices, an industry association said. The Motorcycle Development Program Participants Association (MDPPA) said sales hit 939,528 units in the six months to June. “Despite a more challenging market environment following an exceptionally strong first half in 2025, the industry maintained positive momentum, reflecting the continued importance of motorcycles as an essential mobility solution for Filipinos,” it said in a statement on Monday. In the first quarter, motorcycle sales rose 11.6% year on year to 496,868 units, while sales in the second quarter declined 4.2% to 442,660 units. Automatic motorcycles posted first-half sales of 655,004 units. This was followed by business motorcycles (148,989 units); mopeds (107,632 units), the street category (24,346 units); big bikes (2,994 units), and other categories (563 units). “While growth in the first half of 2026 was slower than the growth recorded during the same period in 2025, the industry continued to expand, demonstrating the enduring confidence of Filipino consumers in motorcycles as a practical, reliable, and cost-efficient mode of transportation,” MDPPA said. Motorcycle sales grew 4.8% in the first half of 2025. “While market conditions have become more challenging compared with last year’s exceptionally strong performance, motorcycles continue to meet the everyday mobility needs of Filipinos,” MDPPA President Erwin D. Estrada said. “The industry’s continued growth demonstrates that consumers recognize the value motorcycles provide through affordability, fuel efficiency, and dependable transportation for work, business, and daily life,” he added. At the end of June, the price of gasoline was P70.93 per liter, while diesel and kerosene fetched P71.21 and P62.56, respectively. The group said it remains optimistic that motorcycle sales will grow steadily, driven by the need for affordable transport solutions that can adapt to prevailing economic conditions. — Beatriz Marie D. Cruz