Industry News
Driven to Half a Million
PH Car Industry Gears Up for Historic Sales Milestone
MANILA — The Philippine automotive industry is on track to hit an all-time high of 500,000 car sales by the end of 2025, industry officials said at the Auto Parts & Vehicles Expo held at the World Trade Center in Pasay City.
GT Capital Auto & Mobility Holdings Chairman Vince Socco said they’re forecasting approximately 512,000 vehicle sales for the year, surpassing last year’s record of 475,000 units. “In the region, the Philippines is actually the second fastest growing market after Vietnam,” Socco noted. “It’s a very encouraging outlook.”
As of the first half of the year, the sector is already showing a 6% increase in sales, and if the pace continues, the target of half a million units is within reach. Data from the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines, Inc. (CAMPI) and the Truck Manufacturers Association (TMA) show 190,429 units sold from January to May, up 1.7% from the same period last year.
Socco said that breaking past the 500,000 mark would put the Philippines in the same league as Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia in terms of car sales—a strong sign of the country’s growing motorization.
He added that the country is beginning to benefit from economies of scale. “The growing vehicle population means we need to also ramp up local manufacturing of auto components. That’s where government support will be crucial.”
The event comes amid trade talks with the United States. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. recently agreed to open up the local auto sector to more American imports as part of a new bilateral deal. In contrast, the U.S. will begin imposing a 19% tariff on Philippine exports starting August 1.
While the trade agreement grants zero tariffs for U.S. vehicles entering the Philippines, Socco believes the immediate impact may be limited. “American brands like Chevrolet, Ford, and Jeep are already here. Most of them source their units from ASEAN countries like Thailand and Indonesia where tariffs are already zero,” he explained.
However, he added that with zero tariffs in place, U.S. carmakers may introduce more models, particularly completely built units that aren’t produced in the region—offering more choices for Filipino consumers.
Meanwhile, the government is eyeing $1.28 billion in auto parts exports by 2025, up from $1.21 billion last year, signaling confidence not just in domestic demand but also in the sector’s export potential.
Trade Secretary Ma. Cristina Roque said final negotiations with the U.S. are ongoing but stressed that the Philippines has already given what it can in the talks, particularly in excluding sensitive agricultural products such as sugar and rice from the deal.
As the second half of 2025 rolls in, industry leaders remain hopeful that no economic disruptions will stall momentum. “It’s a good time to be in the auto sector,” said Socco.
VICOAP and several road safety groups are urging the government to make brake testing mandatory for public utility vehicles after new data showed that many PUVs still operate with unsafe braking systems.
The call was made during a media roundtable in Taguig City, held ahead of the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims. VICOAP presented its brake test results from January to September 2025, showing that 47.3 percent of inspected PUVs failed to meet minimum brake safety standards. The group said this signals an urgent need to strengthen regular inspections to protect everyday commuters.
Participants from e-Sakay, De La Salle University, WRNumero, and the Philippine Advocates for Road Safety joined the discussion to push for reforms based on real data, not guesswork. WRNumero also shared survey findings showing that eight in ten Filipinos worry about getting into road accidents, with lower-income commuters expressing the most concern.
VICOAP spokesperson Atty. Lester Cavestany emphasized that brake testing is not red tape but a basic safety measure. The organization said it hopes policymakers will refine existing rules and require stricter inspections as part of the DOTr’s Road Safety Action Plan.
Bosch Car Service (BCS) Philippines has become the first independent workshop in the country that is officially authorized to service electric and hybrid vehicles, marking a key step in building a wider after-sales support network for electrified cars.
The milestone was formalized in Cavite on November 7, 2025 through a signing ceremony between ACMobility and Bosch Car Service. The move positions BCS as the lead player in the independent aftermarket sector for EV and hybrid servicing, at a time when more Filipinos are starting to consider electrified vehicles.
BCS now offers a full suite of services for EV and hybrid owners, from basic preventive maintenance and accessory installation to complex work such as high-voltage battery diagnostics, repair, and conditioning. The network also handles mechanical and electrical diagnostics, air-conditioning servicing, software updates, and warranty servicing for its original equipment partners.
According to BCS General Manager Geronimo Campilan, dependable service is becoming a critical part of the shift to electric mobility. He said the joint development with ACMobility is designed to expand access to expert EV care and to give owners more confidence, convenience, and support throughout the ownership cycle.
As an independent aftermarket network, BCS aims to help in three areas. First is giving consumers a more accessible service option for EVs beyond traditional dealer workshops. Second is raising standards for workshops by investing in EV-ready facilities and equipment. Third is supporting multiple car brands that need after-sales partners as they roll out more EV and hybrid models nationwide.
Paulo Duarte, Managing Director of Bosch Philippines, said electric mobility introduces new expectations on safety, technical capability, and service quality. He added that Bosch is equipping its workshops and technicians with advanced tools and skills so they can remain competitive as the EV market develops.
Technicians in the Bosch Car Service network undergo global certification and specialized training in high-voltage safety and EV or hybrid systems at Bosch training centers. The company says this continuous upskilling is meant to ensure every workshop can deliver safe and expert care that follows international standards.
The initiative aligns with Bosch’s “Invented for Life” philosophy and complements ACMobility’s wider investments in EV charging hubs across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, where the group is developing digital platforms to make it easier for customers to locate chargers and service centers nationwide.
With the expanded capabilities of Bosch Car Service Philippines, EV and hybrid owners now have a dedicated independent workshop network that can provide bumper-to-bumper care as the country moves deeper into the electrified era.
Unioil Petroleum Philippines Inc. has officially sealed a strategic partnership with Saudi Arabia’s state-owned energy giant Aramco, marking a major milestone for the Philippine fuel industry. Under the deal, Aramco acquired a 25-percent equity stake in Unioil, a move that strengthens both companies’ foothold in the fast-growing local energy market.
With nearly six decades of experience, Unioil is known as one of the country’s leading fuel distributors and a pioneer in cleaner fuel products. The new partnership grants Unioil access to Aramco’s global refining and logistics network, ensuring a stable fuel supply to meet rising demand in the Philippines while supporting national energy security.
Unioil CEO Janice Co Roxas-Chua called the agreement “a new chapter defined by innovation and excellence,” adding that the collaboration would allow the company to expand its reach and elevate customer service. President Kenneth Pundanera said the deal aligns with Unioil’s vision of becoming the fuel retailer of choice, highlighting the partnership as proof of global confidence in the Philippine market.
The Philippine Competition Commission earlier cleared the transaction, paving the way for this strategic alliance aimed at driving innovation, growth, and sustainability in the local energy sector.
