Saudi Arabia 2004-2005: Camry #1, Chevrolet up to #2 brand in record market

The Caprice is Chevrolet’s best-selling car in Saudi Arabia over the period.

New car sales in Saudi Arabia continue to gallop ahead with 2004 volumes up 14.8% year-on-year to a record 341,477 units. Toyota (+5.4%) trails the market but still lodges a splendid 34.9% share. It is followed this year by Chevrolet, up a stunning 118.3% to 10.3% share vs. 5.4% a year ago. Nissan (+3.1%) is knocked out of the top 2 for the first time in at least 15 years. Meanwhile Hyundai (+53.1%) repeats at #4 but improves its share to 7.5%. Kia (+74.6%) is up four ranks to break into the Top 5 for the first time at #5. Mitsubishi (+9.9%) remains at #6 while GMC (+166.7%) shoots up 6 ranks to #7. Renault (+120.6%), BMW (+68.2%) and Peugeot (+43.7%) shine below.

Model-wise, it’s a 7th consecutive win for the Toyota Camry (+0.5%) at an overwhelming 13.4% share. The Toyota Corolla (+16.9%) overtakes the Hilux (+4.8%) to 2nd place. The Land Cruiser 100 (+14.9%) ensures the Top 4 is 100% Toyota like last year. The Nissan Datsun (+12.7%) follows and perks back up at #5, passing the Isuzu D-Max (-1.6%). The Hyundai Verna (+133.9%) is up 9 spots to reenter the Top 10 at #7, with the Chevrolet Caprice (+46.7%) also doing so at #9. The GMC Suburban (+523.5%) is back in shape at #10. The Mitsubishi L200 (#14), Chevrolet Epica (#16) and Aveo (#18) make their entrance in the ranking.

In 2005, the Saudi market reaches another all-time record volume thanks to sales up 15.2% to 393,414 units. Toyota (-4.1%) is the only manufacturer in the Top 9 to lose ground year-on-year, seeing its share thaw from 34.9% to 29%. In contrast Chevrolet surges 52% to 13.6% vs. 10.3% and Nissan is up 23.9% to 10.1% vs. 9.4%. Below, Hyundai (+48.9%) stays at #4 while GMC (+69.3%) gains two spots to #5. Ford (+23.6%) and Isuzu (+20.3%) also beat the market in the remainder of the Top 10. Volkswagen surges to #15 and Daihatsu to #20.

The Toyota Camry sports is 8th straight month in pole position but its market share falls again to 10.5%. The Toyota Corolla (+6.7%) stays at #2 while the Toyota Land Cruiser 100 (+0.8%) advances to #3. The Nissan Datsun (+24.8%) is also up one spot to #4, both models taking advantage of the freefall of the Toyota Hilux (-41.3%). The Chevrolet Caprice (+40.6%) is up three spots to #6, followed by the Isuzu D-Max (+15.7%) and GMC Suburban (+45.4%). Other great gainers below include the Hyundai Sonata (+639.2%), Chevrolet Aveo (+83.3%) and Optra (+101%).

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Full Year 2004-2005 Top 48 All brands and Top 238 All models below.