Philippine motorcycle sales reached 939,528 units in the first half of 2026 as a strong opening quarter offset weaker demand from April to June.

Data from the Motorcycle Development Program Participants Association showed sales rose 3.58 percent from 907,054 units during the same period last year.

The industry sold 496,868 motorcycles in the first quarter, up 11.6 percent year on year. Second-quarter volume fell 4.2 percent to 442,660 units from 462,007 units, although the earlier gains kept the six-month total in positive territory.

Automatic motorcycles remained the largest segment with 655,004 units sold. Their ease of use, fuel efficiency and suitability for daily commuting continued to attract Filipino riders.

Business motorcycles ranked second with 148,989 units. Demand from delivery services, small businesses and other income-generating activities helped sustain the segment.

Mopeds recorded 107,632 units, followed by street motorcycles with 24,346 units. Big-bike sales reached 2,994 units, while other categories accounted for 563 units.

MDPPA president Erwin D. Estrada said the first-half performance showed the resilience of the local motorcycle industry despite tougher market conditions and a high comparison base from 2025.

He added that buyers continue to recognize motorcycles as affordable and dependable transportation for work, business and everyday travel.

Industry analysts expect long-term sales growth to continue as demand for cost-efficient mobility remains strong. MDPPA represents Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki and Yamaha in the Philippines.

The United Nations has adopted the first global regulations for fully autonomous vehicles, setting uniform safety requirements that could support wider deployment of self-driving cars across major markets.

The rules were adopted Wednesday in Geneva by the World Forum for Harmonisation of Vehicle Regulations under the UN Economic Commission for Europe. The framework covers vehicles equipped with fully autonomous driving systems, or ADS, but does not cover assisted driving features.

The move comes as robotaxi services expand in China and the United States, where private fleets more than doubled in 2025 to 8,000 vehicles across more than two dozen major cities. The International Energy Agency expects 700,000 to three million robotaxis to operate in 40 to 80 major cities by 2035.

UNECE said the framework aims to build trust among governments, manufacturers and the public by requiring automated systems to meet strict safety standards. Richard Damm, chair of the UNECE Working Party on Automated/Autonomous and Connected Vehicles, called the adoption a major step for future road technology.

Under the new framework, manufacturers must show that testing meets strict credibility standards. They must also maintain audited safety governance throughout the ADS lifecycle, provide evidence that their systems pose no unreasonable risk, and monitor performance continuously.

Vehicles covered by the rules must also record and store safety-relevant ADS data.

UNECE said the framework was backed by major auto markets, including the United States, China, the European Union, Japan and Britain. Officials expect the rules to enter into force in January 2027, with some manufacturers already preparing for compliance.

The rules were adopted through two separate international agreements. More than half of the 62 parties to a 1958 agreement voted unanimously to implement the regulations, allowing autonomous vehicles produced in one member country to be sold in others without further controls.

The United States, Canada and China, which are not part of that agreement, joined 10 other countries in adding the same rules to a 1998 agreement. That agreement does not provide automatic mutual recognition between countries.

Damm said bringing major markets into the framework did not weaken the safety requirements.

“This regulation is not a compromise on safety,” he said.

VF 5 Opens EV Earnings Route

VinFast is positioning the VF 5 as both a daily electric vehicle and a possible income tool through its Rentapasada program, which gives transport service drivers a lower-cost way to enter ride-hailing operations.

The VF 5 is a five-seat, all-electric A-segment SUV aimed at buyers watching not only the purchase price, but also long-term running costs. Fuel, maintenance and daily operating expenses can influence ownership costs over several years, especially for motorists who drive often.

Metro Manila owner Carlo Santos said he compared the VF 5 with gasoline-powered crossovers before buying the EV. He said the difference became clearer after he calculated fuel and maintenance expenses.

Based on VinFast’s example, a gasoline crossover consuming around 6.8 liters per 100 kilometers would use about 68 liters of fuel for 1,000 kilometers of monthly driving. At a Metro Manila gasoline price of P87.25 per liter as of 9 June 2026, that would cost close to P6,000 a month. VinFast said the VF 5’s energy costs may be more than 50 percent lower for the same distance.

The savings could be bigger for transport service drivers. A driver covering around 200 kilometers a day with the same gasoline consumption rate would use roughly 408 liters of fuel each month, equal to about P35,600 in fuel costs alone at the cited pump price.

VinFast is tying that advantage to Rentapasada, a rental program designed to help Filipinos join the ride-hailing and transport service sector through Green GSM’s platform. The VF 5 is one of two models available under the program, alongside the seven-seater Limo Green.

Rental rates start at P1,000 per day, allowing drivers to operate without the large upfront cost usually required for vehicle ownership. Drivers who meet qualifying ride targets may also receive free charging at V-Green charging stations, which can further reduce daily operating costs.

The program offers a fixed five-year contract, with an option to extend for another three years. VinFast said this gives drivers a more predictable setup for building a long-term source of income.

The VF 5 is powered by a 100 kW electric motor and offers up to 326 kilometers of range. It also comes with six airbags, seven advanced driver assistance features, 16 smart functions, blind spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The vehicle is covered by a seven-year warranty, while the battery has a 10-year warranty.

With Rentapasada, VinFast is pitching the VF 5 beyond private use. The EV can serve as a family car, commuter vehicle or income-generating unit for drivers looking to lower fuel expenses while entering the transport service market.