Nearly 600,000 motorcycles were added to Philippine roads in the first four months of the year, as demand for a more affordable mode of transportation continues to attract droves of buyers across the country.

The latest data from the Federation of Asian Motorcycle Industries (FAMI) showed that motorcycle sales in the country from January to April increased to 595,235 units, nine-percent higher than the 544,580 units sold in the same period last year.

FAMI’s data, sourced from the five member-companies of the Motorcycle Development Program Participants Association Inc. (MDPPA), showed that end-April domestic production expanded 16 percent to 360,478 units from 309,807 in 2024.

MDPPA’s figures were sourced from the local subsidiaries of four giant Japanese motorcycle brands—Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki, and Yamaha—along with Indian brand TVS.

The group accounts for approximately 80 to 90 percent of domestic motorcycle sales and production.

Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. (RCBC) chief economist Michael Ricafort said the increase in motorcycle sales and production this year is part of consumers’ growing appetite for greater mobility.

“Lack of a mass transport system during rush hours and in some parts of the country led to the increased demand for vehicles, with motorcycles as the more affordable option,” Ricafort told Manila Bulletin.

Aside from being more affordable compared to other vehicles, motorcycles allow riders to breeze through heavy traffic, as they require a smaller space on the road and even in parking areas in residential or commercial zones.

Ricafort noted that a stronger shift to motorcycles is manifested in the recent double-digit growth in consumer loans, noting that this is faster than the country’s overall economic growth.

Data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) showed that banks’ consumer loans to residents grew by 23.6 percent in March due to higher credit card loans and motor vehicle loans.

Among FAMI’s seven member-associations, Indonesia’s sales during the first four months of the year topped the list with 2,089,953 units sold.

Vietnam, whose data only shows its first-quarter sales, stood at a distant second with 673,055 units sold. The Philippines settled in third place, with its four-month figures.

Ricafort said the country’s young population and improving employment data in recent months are keeping the Philippines competitive in the region.

The influx of more brands and newer models, alongside low down payment and better purchase schemes, is expected to continue driving motorcycle sales and production to new heights by year-end.

Based on the first four months of the year, motorcycle sales this year are likely to outpace the record-high 1,704,898 units sold in 2019.

FAMI data showed that 2019 motorcycle sales stood at 564,641 during the first four months, which is five-percent lower than the reported 595,235 units in 2025.

Last year, 1,681,482 motorcycle units were sold in the country, with production reaching 1,253,056 units.