challenged people.RIYADH: Small car segment is the fastest growing market in Saudi Arabia automobile industry that accounted for 25 to 30 percent in 2010. The increase in small car segment is fuelled by increasing demand by Saudis that are looking for four-seater passenger vehicles, said CEOs and chairpersons of leading brand car dealers in Saudi Arabia. The heads of companies were speaking to media persons after unveiling the 2011 models at Riyadh Motor Show 2010 that was inaugurated Sunday at Riyadh International Convention Center by Engr. Abdullah Al-Mogbil, Deputy Minister of Transport. The car companies that unveiled 2011 models at the Riyadh Motor Show included Hyundai's Accent, Zelas Toyota, Sufrane by Renault and Nissan 370 Z roadster cc, a sport car. Saad Al-Wallan, chairman, Al-Wallan Trading Company, sole dealer of Hyundai cars in Central Region, Saudi Arabia, said the year 2010 has recorded a 25 percent growth in the small car market. "The growth of 25 percent that we have seen is in the small car segment. Sale of small car is certainly the biggest growth segment in Saudi Arabia automobile industry," he said. Al-Wallan said Hyundai's market share, which currently accounted for 22 "We are trying to catch up with Toyota cars, which are still the leader in the Saudi car market. In 2011, our strategy is to achieve sales target, which will be very close to Toyoto," he said. The winner of Best Global Distributor of 2009, Al Wallan reported a phenomenal performance of Hyundai brand, which has emerged as the second-highest selling brand in the Saudi Arabia and one of the top-selling brands in the past 10 years. Faisal Abdullah, vice-president, Abdul Latif Jameel Company Ltd., dealers of Toyota cars in the Kingdom, said the visitors in Riyadh Motor Show will be offered a test drive to experience the safety features introduced in the Toyota car models. "ALJ will continue to import excellent Toyota products to Saudi Arabia that meet customer requirements," he said. Dr. Saleh H. Kaki, private adviser to CEO, Alhamarani Group of Companies, dealer of Nissan cars in Saudi Arabia, said of the total 536,000 vehicles imported by Saudi Arabia on an annual basis, about 30 percent of sales accounted for small passenger cars, he added. "The increase in the sales of small cars is very big that reached about 30 percent of the total sales in the car industry during 2010," Dr. Kaki said. However, the demand for luxury cars is also increasing in Saudi Arabia, Kaki noted. Nissan cars have a 9.5 percent market share in Saudi Arabia. The ban imposed on the import of used cars has also been boosting the sales of brand new vehicles, which posted an increase of 14 percent in 2010, he said. "The government's ban on import of used is in effect for the past four years, which contributes to the increase in sales of brand new cars between five and six percent," he added. Hussein Murad, Ford director of Sales for Middle East Region, said Saudi Arabia is shaping the regional car market growth with 40 percent increase its car sales in 2009. He said the small car segment posted a growth of 33 percent. Ford unveiled 2011 models that included Ford Edge, Mustang and Lincoln MKX and Figo. About 60 car companies, majority from Saudi Arabia, and other international firms from Brazil, China, Germany, Japan, the US and Jordan are participating in the five-day Riyadh Motor Show 2010. The event is open for public between 4 P.M. and 9.30 P.M. Thursday is reserved for family visitors. The show will close Friday. King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) is also participating with a stand set by its National Program for Automotive Technology (NPAT).
