The Saudi car market is by far the largest and most promising in the region.

Many manufacturers bet their future growth in the Middle East on plans to expand in the Saudi market.

The Saudi International Motor Show in Jeddah highlights once more the increasing importance of that market and the sharp competition among leading brands and newcomers alike.

The way forward for companies in the Saudi market is clear.

Companies have to define the needs of their customers and satisfy these needs better than others. The Saudi consumer is getting smarter.

He needs value for money and good after-sales service.

It is no longer viable to sell cars in bulk at discounted prices.

Saudi consumers want companies to build capacity for service, maintenance and spare parts.

Most regional managers make a priority of visiting the Saudi market more than once a year.

Some managers of exclusive brands have ambitions to double their sales in the Saudi market over the next two years, while others focus on enlarging the dealers’ infrastructure.

They all see potential of rising sales in all segments and want to shake the status quo.

The importance of the Saudi market stems from three main characteristics: sheer volume of the market compared to other regional GCC markets; high rate of growth by international standards; and proportionally a larger segment of luxury vehicles sold.

The potential in the Saudi market is substantial.

Saudi Arabia has the highest population density in the GCC region with 27 million residents of which 19 million are Saudi nationals.

Saudi Arabia has a young population with median age of 26 years old and 64 percent of the population is under 60 years of age.

Also, car penetration is still low while disposable incomes are rising.

The market grew in the first half of 2013 by 11 percent.

Sales are likely to exceed half a million cars in 2014.

However, this leap to a fast-track Saudi market is not easy for individual manufacturers.

The market is no place for the faint-hearted; competition is tough. Brand loyalty is low and the market is price-sensitive.

This is highlighted by a strong and successful push by Chinese newcomers who managed to grab a large chunk of the market in the last few years. Geely has a car in the top ten best sellers in Saudi Arabia.

The big players in the Saudi market have earned their places over a longer period of time.

Toyota, Hyundai and Chevrolet are the top three brands followed by Kia and Ford.

Toyota alone has about 40 percent market share and dethroning it would be no easy task.

However, as many new brands have proved, there is always a place for good players as long as they engage and excite the Saudi consumer with new products that offer innovations, good design and value for money.

It would do company managers well to realize that not all regional markets are the same.

The Saudi market is the largest (almost 40 percent of GCC total) and offers the best potential for growth.

It should receive proportional efforts and investments from companies that want to succeed here.

— Adel Murad is a senior motoring and lifestyle journalist, based in London.