Road safety through education – a lasting commitment between 2-wheel brands

The Motorcycle Development Program Participants Association, Inc. (MDPPA), an association of the biggest motorcycle manufacturers in the country, recently mounted a one- of-a-kind event for members of the media, where they shared significant announcements about the organization as well as insights related to the Philippine motorcycle industry.

The first half of the event started with a group ride, from Pasig City to Wyndell’s Cafe in Tanay, Rizal – a ride that exhibits a safe road, practiced with road courtesy and discipline. A media conference followed with MDPPA board members and key officers.

Among the highlights of the media conference was the launch of the “Tropang MAALAM” Campaign, an initiative in line with MDPPA’s road safety advocacy that aims to promote motorcycle rider rights and safety through education, awareness, and engagement with stakeholders in the country’s motorcycle industry.

“Tropang MAALAM” is short for “Tropang Modelo, Alerto, Aktibo, Ligtas, Aalalay, at Matalino (role model, alert, active, safe, willing to help, and smart). Through the campaign, MDPPA’s ultimate goal is to make roads safer while safeguarding lives by empowering every rider to be more MAALAM.

Aside from the launch of the campaign, the five MDPPA member companies also shared their combined sales FORECASTS, showcasing their positive outlook in the Philippine Motorcycle Industry that promises continuous growth underscoring the market’s growth potential.

Based on industry data, MDPPA is projecting a healthy growth rate of over 4% for the entire year, with total sales expected to exceed 500,000 motorcycle units from September to December, thus the projection of

1.6 million ++ total units of motorcycles sold amongst its members. The number if fulfilled will be the highest in five (5) years since the 2020 Pandemic. This surge in demand is driven by the growing popularity of motorcycles as a convenient and affordable mode of transportation.

As of August 2024, the MDPPA has recorded a year-to-date growth of 3.8% compared to the same period last year. This growth is primarily attributed to the strong performance of the automatic motorcycle segment, which currently holds a market share of 64%. Business motorcycles account for 17% of the market, followed by mopeds at 16.3% and big bikes, street bikes, and other categories at 2.7%.

“We are very optimistic about the future of the Philippine motorcycle industry,” said Alex Cumpas, President of MDPPA. “The continued growth in sales demonstrates the increasing preference for motorcycles as a reliable and efficient transportation solution. MDPPA remains committed to supporting the development of the industry and promoting safe and responsible motorcycle riding.”

MDPPA is confident that the positive momentum will continue throughout the year, driven by various factors like ongoing government initiatives to improve road infrastructure and safety.