United Arab Emirates First Half 2017: Nissan Patrol cements top spot

August 3, 2017
Matt Gasnier

The Nissan Patrol confirms its newfound leadership in the UAE.

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The United Arab Emirates new car market is down a harsh 19% year-on-year over the First Half of 2017 to 132.261 registrations. Market leader Toyota follows the market with a 20% drop to 29.6% share, a fair distance above Nissan down 15% to 16.7% and Mitsubishi down 33% to 9.6%. BMW remains 4th but improves to 6.6% share thanks to sales down just 9%. Kia actually improves 7%, gains thee spots compared to the same period in 2016 to land in 5th place overall. Lexus (-4%) is up one spot to #6 but Ford (-28%) and Hyundai (-51%) both freefall. Jeep (-2%) is up four ranks to #13, Mazda (-3%) up two to #16 and Dodge (+16%) is the only other manufacturer showing a positive result in the Top 20. Further down, Peugeot (+11%), Cadillac (+18%), Maserati (+21%), Geely (+15%) and MG (+32%) are also progressing.

The BMW X5 breaks into the UAE Top 10 over the period.

In the models ranking, we are witnessing a historical change of guard between a long favourite, the Toyota Land Cruiser, down 5% year-on-year to 6.6% share, and the new UAE leader the Nissan Patrol, up a spectacular 39% on the same period last year. The Patrol thus becomes the only nameplate with a five-digit sales figure in the UAE halfway through 2017. Below, the Toyota Hilux (-32%), Mitsubishi Lancer EX (-39%) and Pajero (-41%) are all in freefall while the Toyota Prado (-3%), Camry (+3%) and most impressively the BMW X5 (+28%) improve their rankings. Other great performers in the UAE in 20178 include the Kia Sportage (+31%), BMW 7 Series (+24%) breaking into the Top 20, the Kia Cerato (+50%) and Mitsubishi ASX (+507%). As it is the case in almost every country in the region, the Nissan Kicks is the most popular newcomer at #36, distancing the Dodge Neon (#107) – a rebadged Fiat Tipo sedan, the Chevrolet Trailblazer (#110), Renault Talisman (#114) and Geely X7 Sport (#124).

The Dodge Neon lands just outside the UAE Top 100.