RIYADH, 4 January 2006 — Women in the Kingdom may not be physically driving their own cars, nevertheless just like women elsewhere Saudi women have a tendency to be picky and choosy about which cars they are chauffeured in.

In order to serve women purchasers, many car showrooms across the Kingdom have begun employing saleswomen.

Ruba Matar is one such woman who works in the insurance sector of a car company. She says that women have been working for the company since 2001.

“Initially two women started working here and now this number is rapidly increasing. The female section has several departments including the administration, promotion, sales and insurance departments. It was difficult at first to work in a male-oriented environment but it has grown easy over time,” she said.

Matar added that the number of women buying cars in the Kingdom has increased in recent years because of the boom in the economy. “Since many women want to choose their own cars, even if they cannot drive them, this has created a need to have separate women-friendly showrooms where female buyers can go to and select their own cars,” said Matar, who believes the idea has taken off very well.

Saudi women have recently begun working in various sectors but working in car showrooms is something relatively new. Giving women the right to select their own cars in a private women-friendly environment is considered to be an innovative idea.

Maha Al-Makadi who is in charge of promotions at a private car company, said that many companies began hiring women following an order from the authorities calling for the recruitment of women.

“In a matter of two years our company plans to open two car showrooms run by women. One will be in Jeddah and the other will be in the Eastern Province. We also will continue a women’s section separately from that of men,” said Al-Makadi, adding that she believes this will prove that women can successfully work in different fields.

“According to a recent survey, 47 percent of Saudi women own cars. Our company offers different purchase plans and allow women to buy cars without the need of a male guardian,” she added.

Widad Midrdad, who works in the customer service department in the same company, said that her work has enhanced her capabilities and has helped her develop a lot of skills. “I get to meet people from different social strata and I am able to build up excellent relations with them. Describing cars and their features adds enjoyment to the job,” she said.

Saleswoman Nujud Widian said that the nature of her job has widened her scope of knowledge. Nura Al-Hiji agreed with her colleague. “I enjoy my work. I feel it is a good job that allows me to preserve my modesty,” she added.

Adil Al-Habib, who is a manager at the company, said that the company is planning to have a separate women’s showroom soon. This he said would preserve the privacy of women and allow them to shop comfortably and safely. He added that this would ultimately bring an end to the conventional way women purchase cars, where they have to rely on their male relatives to conduct transactions on their behalf.

Al-Habib said that his company is providing both women customers and employees with great opportunities.

“Women buyers can have the ultimate freedom in selecting and buying cars. Saleswomen can also prove their capabilities in selling cars,” he said, adding that his company is intending to recruit more women because they have proven that they are independent, responsible and capable.

Some people worry that the new all-women showroom will meet the fate of a similar showroom forced to close shortly after it opened in Jeddah a few years ago.

The woman said she was forced to cancel a women-only private viewing of new models of a popular car a year ago after moral police stormed the dealership hours before the reception.

A recent survey carried out by his company showed that 25 percent of cars owned by employees in his company belong to women, Al-Habib said.

He added that according to a survey carried by the Traffic Department, 62,000 Saudi women have 98,000 registered cars between them.

He said, “Women buy about 25 percent of the total cars sold in Riyadh and the first ever car to be sold to a woman was in 1401 AH (1981).”