Saudi Arabia 1998-1999: Toyota Camry surges to top spot

The Toyota Camry is the new leader in Saudi Arabia.

After three years of dismal sales around 65,000 units, the Saudi new light vehicle market rallies back up 72.8% in 1998 to 114,686 units. Brand leader Toyota (+114.6%) more than doubles its volume to reach 32.1% share, a vast improvement on the 25.8% it held in 1997. Nissan (+89.6%) also beats the market to 14.4% share while Ford (+74%) matches it and climbs one spot on last year to land on the third step of the podium. Mitsubishi (+114%) is up two ranks to #4 while Honda (+54.4%) stays at #5. The loser of the year is GMC (-9.4%), enduring the only drop in the Top 10 to just 3.9% share vs. 7.4% last year.

We have a big change in the models ranking. The Toyota Camry (+883%) is up 10-fold on 1997 to spectacularly take the overall lead with 8.2% share. #1 last year, the Toyota Corolla (+36.4%) falls to #5. The Toyota Hilux (+133.6%), Nissan Datsun (+171.9%) and Toyota Land Cruiser 100 (+147.3%) camp on their ranking from #2 to #4. The Ford Crown Victoria (+208.8%) is up to #6, the Nissan Patrol (+90.9%) stays at #7 and both the Isuzu KB (+155.7%) and Kia Credos (+187.1%) break into the Top 10.

In 1999, registrations are stable at +3.2% to 118,412. Toyota (+16%) continues to increase its footprint on the market, improving to 36.1% share vs. 32.1% in 1998. Nissan (-4.6%) can’t say the same but easily stays at #2. The performer of the year is Chevrolet (+223.9%) up 9 spots on last year to #3. Ford (-11.6%) is pushed down to #4 ahead of Honda (+1.5%) and Hyundai (+23.3%). Suzuki (+64%) is up five spots to #9 while Daewoo (+35%) gains two to #11.

Model-wise, the Toyota Camry (+54.4%) tightens its grip on the charts to a fantastic 12.3% share, leaving the Toyota Hilux (-3.3%) in the dust at 7.2%. The Nissan Datsun (-4.4%) remains strong at #3 above the Toyota Land Cruiser 100 (+9.6%). The Ford Crown Victoria (+1.4%) overtakes the Toyota Corolla (-23.8%) to complete the Top 5. The Chevrolet Caprice returns at #6 while the Chevrolet Lumina (#9) and Toyota Yaris (#10) land directly inside the Top 10 for their first appearance in the ranking.

Previous year: Saudi Arabia Full Year 1997: Toyota Corolla and Hilux dominate in mediocre market

Two years ago: Saudi Arabia Full Year 1996: Nissan Datsun pickup takes the lead

Full Year 1998 and 1999 Top 45 All brands and Top 207 All models below.