Industry News
EV surge gains speed in PH
Registrations are rising fast this year. From January to July, the Land Transportation Office recorded 29,715 electrified vehicles of every type, already higher than the 24,000 counted for the whole of last year. EVAP says a realistic full-year mark is 35,000, helped by private fleets meeting the 5 percent requirement and government agencies starting to add EVs to their service pools. Battery EVs are also catching up to hybrids in registrations as more buyers accept home and public charging as part of daily use.
That momentum sets the stage for the 13th Philippine Electric Vehicle Summit at SMX Pasay on October 23 to 25, 2025. The show will gather major brands such as BYD, GAC, Omoda & Jaecoo, and UAAGI’s BAIC, Chery, Foton, and Lynk & Co, alongside EV startups and accessory players from two wheels to four. Test drives and tech talks will anchor the program under the theme “Charge Ahead, Ignite the EVolution.”
Sales data back the optimism. Four-wheeled EV sales nearly tripled in 2024 to 3,880 units from 1,028 in 2023. Battery EVs made up three quarters of those sales, hybrids took almost a quarter, and plug-in hybrids filled the rest. On the lighter side of mobility, two- and three-wheeler sales exploded to 43,441 in 2024.
Infrastructure remains the pain point, yet progress is visible. The Department of Energy counts 992 active charging points nationwide made up of AC, DC, and battery swapping stations, with average fees of 23.27 pesos per kWh for AC, 33.76 for DC, and 53.46 for swapping. Many chargers sit inside malls, led by SM with 69 units and Ayala with 31, with clusters in Metro Manila and growing footprints in Cebu, Davao, and Bicol.
Targets are ambitious. CREVI is aiming for 7,300 charging stations by 2028 on the way to 20,400 by 2040 when the EV fleet could reach 2.5 million. The catch is funding. EVCS deployment is largely carried by the private sector, including malls, hotels, condos, and some car brands. That keeps the rollout moving, but the industry would welcome stronger public support to accelerate coverage beyond major urban centers.
Local manufacturing and incentives add new tailwinds. The country’s first lithium battery plant in Tarlac, operated by StB Giga Factory Inc., is ramping toward an annual capacity that could power 18,000 EVs. The Department of Trade and Industry’s proposed EV Incentive Strategy projects up to 11.4 trillion pesos in economic output and as many as 680,000 jobs across assembly, batteries, charging, and services if approved by the FIRB.
All told, the industry looks stronger than it did just a year ago. The network is bigger, the model mix is wider, and buyers are more confident. The gaps are clear too. Infrastructure, policy alignment, and broader access outside the big cities will decide how quickly the country moves from early adoption to mass market. As EVAP puts it, the sector is moving and not slowing down. The next phase will be about keeping that pace while making charging and ownership easier for everyone.
The Manila auto scene steps into a new phase as Manila International Auto Show 2026 opened today at the World Trade Center Metro Manila and Philippine Trade Training Center, drawing industry leaders, officials, and car brands under one roof.
Organized by Worldbex Services International, the show carries the theme “Powering Mobility.” It highlights new energy vehicles, EV infrastructure, and transport solutions as the industry shifts toward electrification and smarter mobility systems.
The opening ceremony gathered key figures from government and business. Among those present were Joseph L. Ang, Dexter Lloyd Cuajotor, Augustus “Joe” D. Ferreria, Imelda “Emi” Calixto-Rubiano, Markus V. Lacanilao, and Ceferino “Perry” S. Rodolfo representing Department of Trade and Industry.
Ang said the event continues to support the industry’s growth despite ongoing challenges, with a strong focus on innovation and collaboration. The program also highlights commercial mobility and sustainable transport solutions as demand shifts.
More than 500 vehicles are on display across 25 car brands, covering a wide range from internal combustion models to hybrids and full electric vehicles. Visitors can expect product launches, test drives, and interactive exhibits throughout the venue.
Now on its 21st year, MIAS remains one of the country’s largest automotive gatherings. The show runs until April 12, with tickets available online and on-site.
Ford Philippines secured two major segment wins in 2025, with the Ford Everest leading the 4×4 midsize SUV class and the Ford Mustang topping the sports car category, based on data from the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines.
Ford Everest
The Everest Titanium+ 4×4 claimed the top spot in the 4×4 midsize SUV segment, taking a 40 percent market share in 2025.
Ford positions the Everest as a blend of durability and comfort. The Titanium+ 4×4 variant comes with a terrain management system that offers six drive modes: Normal, Eco, Tow Haul, Slippery, Mud/Ruts, and Sand. Drivers can switch modes through a Drive Mode Selector, while an electronic shifter supports optimized performance across varying road conditions.
Safety and driver-assist technologies are standard across the lineup. These include seven airbags, Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go and Lane Centering, Lane Keeping System with Road Edge Detection, Forward Collision Warning, Evasive Steer Assist, and Reverse Brake Assist.
Ford Philippines said customer feedback played a key role in shaping the latest Everest, which targets buyers who need a vehicle that can handle rough terrain without sacrificing daily comfort.
Ford Mustang
In the sports car segment, the Mustang held the number one position with a 32 percent market share in 2025.
Ford Philippines introduced the seventh-generation Mustang in 2024. The model is available locally in two variants: the 5.0L GT Premium Fastback and the 2.3L EcoBoost Premium Fastback.
Both variants now come with the MagneRide damping system. The setup adjusts suspension performance to balance ride comfort and handling. The Mustang also features Brembo brakes, a quad chrome tip exhaust with active valve functionality, and 19-inch aluminum wheels with distinct designs per variant.
Inside, the sports coupe gets RECARO leather-trimmed sport seats and soft-touch materials. The GT Premium Fastback runs on a 5.0-liter Ti-VCT V8 engine paired with a 10-speed SelectShift automatic transmission. It produces 493 PS and 567 Nm of torque. The EcoBoost Premium Fastback uses a 2.3-liter EcoBoost engine, also mated to a 10-speed SelectShift automatic, delivering 319 PS and 475 Nm of torque.
Pedro Simoes, managing director of Ford Philippines, said the performance of both nameplates reflects strong customer demand in their respective segments.
With the Everest leading among 4×4 midsize SUVs and the Mustang maintaining its hold on the sports car market, Ford Philippines closes 2025 with two category leaders in its lineup.
Toyota Motor Philippines has started work on a new dealership in Antipolo City, adding another service hub for customers east of Metro Manila. The project is being developed with Toyota Taytay, Rizal Inc. and is set to strengthen Toyota’s footprint in one of the country’s fastest growing cities.
The upcoming Toyota Antipolo, Rizal facility will rise along L. Sumulong Memorial Circle in Barangay San Jose. Designed as a full-service dealership, it aims to give local motorists easier access to sales and aftersales support without the long drive into Metro Manila.
Once completed, the dealership will cover a total floor area of 12,160 square meters across three floors and a mezzanine. It will feature a modern showroom that can display up to seven vehicles and a service area with 37 bays. Customers can expect express maintenance, periodic servicing, body and paint work, and general repairs under one roof.
Toyota Motor Philippines president Masando Hashimoto said the Antipolo site has long been part of the company’s hopes for network expansion. He shared that the new dealership will help Toyota serve customers in Rizal with greater convenience as the area continues to grow.
Toyota Antipolo, Rizal president Zellyn Lim Diaz highlighted the local impact of the project. She said the dealership will create jobs during construction and provide long-term employment once operations begin, while also supporting skills development and stable livelihoods for families in the area.
Antipolo City has seen steady growth driven by retail, real estate, tourism, and small businesses. Its close link to Metro Manila through major roads like Marcos Highway and Ortigas Avenue Extension has made mobility support an essential part of daily life. Toyota’s latest expansion places its services closer to motorists who rely on these routes every day.
