Hyundai captures Saudi hearts

Korean cars are steadily expanding their share of the Saudi market and making a strong bid to meet the challenge of Japanese domination.
One such Korean manufacturer is Hyundai whose cars are being increasingly favored by Saudis and expatriates across the Kingdom.
Hyundai claims it has succeeded to gain a significant share in the Saudi market which is dominated by Japanese cars.
The Korean automobile giant says it has been increasingly attracting the attention of Saudis and expatriates in the Kingdom.
Hyundai Motor Company has also built on its remarkable recent successes across the Middle East region, enjoying its best ever first six months of sales.
In comparison with the first half of 2012, the Korean automotive manufacturer recorded a two percent increase in sales from January to June 2013, with 165,472 units being sold across the Gulf region.
Hyundai has been re-launched as a reliable, well-priced alternative, supported by a higher level of service than its competitors.
Today, Hyundai is firmly established in the Saudi market as a cost-effective, well designed and reliable motor vehicle, and is now one of the leading marques, ever increasing its share of the overall auto market in Saudi Arabia.
Following the dictum “it’s better late than never,” Hyundai states that there is a bit of delay in exploring the potentially rich Saudi market in particular and the Gulf in general.
What is encouraging is that Saudi Arabia’s new car market advanced by a healthy 6 percent year-on-year in July to 64,870 registrations, bringing the year-to-date total to 433,611 units, also up 6 percent on 2012.
And we witness a coup atop the models ranking this month, now in a total run-out mode.
The Toyota Corolla takes the lead both in July with 6,877 sales and a huge 10.6 percent market share and year-to-date at 34,430 units and 7.9 percent, passing the Toyota Hilux down to a weak third place this month and adding up to 32,340 sales and 7.5 percent year-to-date.
According to Best Selling Cars Blog website, in June, the Hyundai Elantra is still remarkable 2nd place in July at 4,531 units and 7 percent, a little bit over its year-to-date level of 6.8 percent. The Toyota Camry and Hyundai Accent keep their June rankings at 4 and 5 respectively, which is in reverse of their year-to-date order.
The Honda Accord jumps 3 ranks a brilliant 7th place at 2.9 percent at 13 year-to-date. While the Chevrolet Tahoe is very solid at 8 and 2.8 percent share, the Toyota Fortuner is up 4 to 9 percent and the GMC Yukon up 6 to 12 percent. The Toyota Sequoia has an excellent hold at 13 versus 24 year-to-date. Notice also the Chevrolet Impala up to 80 for its 2nd month in market.
The Hyundai Elantra becomes the most popular vehicle in the Kingdom in June, ahead of the Toyota Hilux (7.3 percent), Corolla (6.7 percent) and Camry (6 percent). The Toyota Hilux leads the year-to-date race with 28,768 units and 7.9 percent, followed by the Toyota Corolla very close at 27,553 sales and 7.6 percent, and the Hyundai Elantra at 6.9 percent and Hyundai Accent at 5.7 percent.
New car sales are down 5 percent year-on-year in Saudi Arabia to 60,002 registrations, bringing the year-to-date total to 363,523 units, up 5 percent on 2012.
For the first time on BSCB, there is a brands ranking in Saudi Arabia; Mercedes, Renault and Chinese manufacturers’ data is unavailable.
Toyota leads the way by far with 40.2 percent share over the first half of 2013 thanks to 146,237 sales, followed by Hyundai (20 percent), Ford (6.9 percent), and Chevrolet and Kia both at 5.8 percent.