The local motorcycle industry is on track to sell a record 1.79 million units this year, reflecting continued demand as the go-to mode of transport for many Filipinos.

The Motorcycle Development Program Participants Association Inc. (MDPPA) said a total of 1.58 million units were sold from January to October, nearly 14 percent higher than 1.39 million units in the same period in 2024.

Taking into account October alone, motorcycle sales grew by 19 percent to 183,502 units compared to 154,168 units in the same month last year.

MDDPA said the steady growth of motorcycles in the country reflects the two-wheeled vehicle's status as the most practical and essential mode of transport for many Filipinos.

The industry group, comprising the country’s top motorcycle manufacturers and assemblers, said the popularity hinges on the public’s pursuit of the most affordable and fuel-efficient mobility solution.

It is also no secret that motorcycles are the best option for many Filipinos, given a poor public transportation system and highly congested roads.

With this sustained momentum, MDPPA is adjusting its full-year target from an initial estimate of 1.77 million units sold to over 1.79 million units.

“With just two months to go, we are on pace to surpass our earlier targets, and we expect full-year sales to reach more than 1.79 million units,” said MDPPA President Alexander Cumpas.

“This growth reflects how deeply motorcycles have become a part of everyday life for Filipinos,” said Cumpas.

“Whether for personal use or livelihood, they continue to be the most accessible and reliable way to move forward,” he added.

The last time the motorcycle industry reached 1.7 million sales was in 2019, which is MDPPA’s record year so far.

Last year, the industry group recorded 1.68 million units.

Based on data from the Federation of Asian Motorcycle Industries (FAMI), provided by the MDPPA, domestic production of motorcycles reached 983,623 in the first eight months of the year.

MDPPA’s data are sourced from the local subsidiaries of four major Japanese motorcycle brands—Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki,

and Yamaha—alongside Indian brand TVS.

Together, these brands account for approximately 80 to 90 percent of domestic motorcycle sales and production.

This indicates that the gap between local production and total sales is likely met by imports from competing Chinese and Taiwanese brands.

Among FAMI’s seven member associations, Indonesia continues to hold the crown with 5.43 million motorcycles sold by the end of October.

Vietnam, with data spanning six months, ranked third with 1.28 million units, trailing behind the Philippines with 10 months' worth of data.

Malaysia recorded 468,331 motorcycle sales, followed by Japan with 290,976 units from January to October.

So far, FAMI members Thailand and Taiwan have not released any data this year.