For 2023, Motorcycle Development Program Participants Association Inc. (MDPPA) eyes a growth of 10% or a total collective sale of 1.72 million units from its member brands – Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki and Yamaha.

This is after recording consistent sales increases following the pandemic.

Despite the global cost-of-living crisis and tightening of financial conditions in most regions, the local motorcycle industry was able to chart an upward trend as the MDPPA ended 2021 with a 19% sales growth (from the record low of 1,206,374 units in 2020 due to the pandemic).

The four-member association posted total annual sales of 1.43 million units in 2021 and 1.54 million units in 2022.

The MDPPA breaks down its total sales in the previous year into four categories.

Scooters for the win

Automatic Transmission (AT) motorcycles or scooters, recorded more than 900,000 units sold last year. Scooters are popular among riders due to their ease of operation. They are usually preferred by riders in the delivery service industry. These zippy little machines make up 58% of total sales in 2022.

The business class

The Business Unit (BU) motorcycles posted a total of 334,671 units sold or 21% total sales. BU motorcycles are intended for commercial use and mostly converted into tricycle units to either ferry passengers or used as delivery services of small and medium scale establishments.

Motorcycle for the masses

Considered as the most budget-friendly motorcycle available in the local market, Mopeds (MP) sold a total of 253,873, or 16% of last year’s sales. MP or Commuter Underbone remains a popular option to those looking for an affordable two-wheeler.

Toys for the big boys

The Street (ST) motorcycle models contributed 4% share at 57,941 units. STs are considered a step-up from the entry-level commuter bikes and, to some extent, an entry point to the Big Bike (BB) segment.

BBs are high-displacement motorcycles that cater to the leisure rider market. 12,662 BB units were sold last year along with more than 1000 units of recreational off-road vehicles.

Giving back to the community

“Despite the recent economic challenges, the association’s member companies continue to synergize with different stakeholders to continuously advance the welfare not only of the riding community but the public in general. Over the last two years, the MDPPA has conducted Road Safety Seminars online and onsite to more than 1,300 students and has supported different motorcycle groups push the advocacy for a safer road,” shares Norminio “Boying” Mojica, MDPPA President.

“Further, we continue to dialogue with different government agencies to safeguard the welfare of the riders and promote public-private partnership,” he adds.

Mojica states that his 1.72 million-unit sale prediction for this year is quite conservative. Do you agree or do you think it is rather optimistic?