An automotive industry executive on Wednesday projected a possible 10-percent decline in vehicle sales this year due to the impact of the Middle East crisis, while pointing to stronger growth prospects for electric vehicles (EVs).

In 2025, domestic car sales rose 3.7 percent to 491,395 units, driven by aggressive promotions and increasing demand for EVs. The Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines (CAMPI) had earlier set a target of 500,000 units for this year.

However, CAMPI president Jose Maria Atienza, during a briefing on Wednesday, said the goal may be difficult to achieve amid rising fuel prices.

He said industry players remain focused on sustaining growth, but are no longer fixated on hitting a specific sales target. Instead, companies are prioritizing how best to support customers and motorists.

Atienza said sales declined by around 8 to 10 percent in the first four months of the year and expects this trend to persist through the rest of 2026.

“It should go down from last year but please also wait for the final forecast,” he said.

Automotive sector officials are hopeful that the 10th Philippine International Motor Show, scheduled from June 4 to 7, 2026 at the World Trade Center in Pasay City, will help boost sales.

Atienza added that while overall industry growth may slow, the outlook for EVs remains positive.

He said there is no specific growth forecast for EVs, but their share of total sales is expected to rise from about 10 percent last year.

“We’ve all seen how this trajectory of [EVs] was increased from zero, almost zero, maybe five years ago, to now 20 percent for the month of March and probably for April, is around 25 percent,” Atienza said. (PNA)