Saudi Arabia August 2012: Ford Expedition improves further

Ford Expedition

* See the Top 150 best-selling models by clicking on the title! Many thanks to Ldman *

It seems that the European gloom has now reached the Middle-East. For the first time in 2012, the Saudi new car market is down year-on-year at -3% in August to 47,899 registrations. The year-to-date total is however still up a very healthy 14% on 2011 to 456,120 units. The leading trio is unchanged on July and is 100% Toyota for the 2nd time in 2012. The Toyota Hilux leads once again with 3,880 sales and 8.1% (-9% year-on-year) ahead of the Toyota Corolla at 3,463 units and 7.2%, up an impressive 38% on August 2011. The Toyota Camry rounds up the podium with 2,898 sales and 6.1%, above its 2012 year-to-date share (5%) but still 8% below August 2011.

Toyota Camry. Picture by Khalid Al-Atwi, all rights reserved.

Two Hyundais follow: the Accent is #4 at 2,494 units and 5.2% but stays #3 year-to-date at 6.1% and the Elantra is #5 both this month (4.6%) and year-to-date (4.7%). The Ford Expedition was already the highlight model in May, June and July and is now seriously shaping up to be the success story of 2012 in Saudi Arabia. In August it reaches never-seen before heights: up 57% year-on-year and one spot further up to #6 with 1,977 sales and 4.1% market share, potentially its first time above 4% in Saudi Arabia… It ranks #9 year-to-date at 2.6% vs. #19 and 1.4% in 2011…

Chevrolet Malibu

The other great performers in the Saudi Top 20 all come from Asia: the Kia Cerato is up 4 ranks to #9 with 1,339 units and 2.8%, the Toyota Prado is up 12 to #11 and 2.2%, double its July share, and the Toyota Avalon is up 7 to #18. Notice also the Chevrolet Malibu continuing its progression to #26, the Ford Crown Victoria enjoying its last breath and up 54 spots to #29, the Lexus ES up 20 to #35, the Dodge Durango up 25 to #37 and the BMW 7 Series up 24 to #42.

Renault Duster

Further down, the Hyundai Atos is up 55 ranks to #45, the Toyota Aurion up 26 to #46, the Jeep Grand Cherokee up 23 to #50, its little brother the Jeep Cherokee up 20 to #61, the Dodge Challenger up 21 to #73, the Lincoln Town Car up 16 to #87, the Renault Duster up 25 to #96 and the Suzuki Swift Dzire making its first appearance in the Saudi models ranking at #132.

Previous month: Saudi Arabia July 2012: Ford Expedition up again

Previous year: Saudi Arabia Full Year 2011: Toyota Hilux and Camry on top

Full August 2012 Top 150 Ranking Table below.