MDPPA posts highest motorcycle sales growth in ASEAN, eyes over 15% growth for 2016

Manila, Philippines. March 22, 2016 – After capping 2015 with an 8% year-on-year growth on motorcycle sales, the Philippines holds the best growth performance among the Federation of Asian Motorcycle Industries (FAMI) member countries that include Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Taiwan and Thailand. The Motorcycle Development Program Participants Association (MDPPA), a group of motorcycle manufacturers in the Philippines, announces that the total 2015 unit sales of its member companies in the country achieved an 8% year-on-year increment. Collectively, MDPPA members Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki, Yamaha, and Kymco sold 850,509 units last year, up by more than 60,000 units from 2014 sales.

With the country’s sustained economic growth and an increasing number of citizens who can afford new vehicles, motorcycles have become a transportation alternative in the greater Manila area and other key cities where traffic continues to worsen. According to an Asian Development Bank (ADB) report, motorcycles are the second most preferred mode of transportation in the Philippines comprising 20.7% of the country’s automotive industry.

MDPPA attributed the past year’s notable growth to the aggressive launch of many new models, dealer initiatives, as well as the anti-counterfeiting campaigns of both the group and individual members to bolster the sales of genuine branded motorcycles.

Positive growth to continue in 2016

            Early sales data for the first two months of 2016 reinforces the group’s positive outlook for this year. MDPPA recorded a 34% year-on-year sales growth for the first two months of 2016 prompting MDPPA to forecast a y-o-y increase of at least 25% in the first half of the year. If the trend continues, MDPPA is positive that its members can surpass the 12 – 15% growth initially projected for 2016.

“Given the heavy traffic condition in the metro today, motorcycles have become a better transportation alternative for majority of the commuters. This kind of demand contributed greatly to the growth we achieved in 2015, and I believe this will be the same factor that would greatly contribute to the sales targets we are aiming for this year,” shares MDPPA President Rodel Pablo.

Aside from mobility in Metro Manila becoming a challenge, Pablo also emphasized that the continuous development and introduction of new and innovative models locally, including F1 motorcycles with higher gasoline mileage, will continue to propel motorcycle sales in the country in the coming years.

With the growing demand for motorcycles, MDPPA recognizes the challenge and opportunity to also further advance the association’s advocacies against counterfeiting and the education of both motorists and pedestrians about road safety.

otorcycle Development Program Participants Association, Inc. (MDPPA)

Based on the basic principles of the Philippine Motor Vehicle Development Program implemented by the Board of Investments, major motorcycle manufacturers and assemblers., established in 1973 an association known as the Philippine Motorcycle Manufacturing Program (PMMP). In 1987, new MVDP guidelines were finalized and program name was, likewise, changed to Motorcycle Development Program (MDP). The Association was given the new name of Motorcycle Development Program Participants Association, Inc. (MDPPA) in 1989.

The current five members of the Association: Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki, Yamaha and Kymco, are all active participants of the government’s Motor Vehicle Development Program (MVDP).