Gulf February 2012: Toyota Hilux reclaims leadership

Toyota Hilux

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

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is composed of the states bordering the Persian Gulf: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates. In February car sales in the region are up a massive 19% year-on-year to 117,199 registrations, bringing the year-to-date total to 223,170 units, up 15% on 2011. While in January it was still handicapped by Thai supply issues (#2 at 5.2%), the Toyota Hilux reclaims its traditional pole position in the Gulf in February with 10,689 sales and 9.1% share, its second time above 10,000 units in the last 13 months with October 2011. The Hilux also leads year-to-date at 16,178 units and 7.2%, already back to its 2011 level. The Toyota Corolla, #1 in January for the 2nd time in a row, is down to #2 this month with 5,992 sales and 5.1% and year-to-date at 12,520 units and 5.6%.

Kia Cerato

Excellent start of the year for the Hyundai Accent up to #3 both this month with 5,259 sales and 4.5%, mainly due to its performance in Saudi Arabia, and year-to-date at 4.4% share vs. 2.9% over the Full Year 2011. The Toyota Land Cruiser, #1 in Bahrain and Qatar, comes #4 in the Gulf in February with 4,860 sales and 4.1%, followed by the Toyota Prado and Camry, both at 3.5%. The Hyundai Elantra new generation is up to #7 vs.#11 in 2011 while the Hyundai Sonata is very solid at #8. Like in 2011 the entire Top 10 is composed of only Toyotas and Hyundais with the Toyota  Land Cruiser Pick-up and Yaris rounding up the ranking.

Great performers this month also include the Kia Cerato up to #11 with 1,890 sales and 1.6% vs.#17 in 2011, the Ford Expedition up to #17 vs.#34 in 2011 thanks to its 8th place in Saudi Arabia, the GMC Sierra up to #22 vs.#41, the Kia Optima up to #31 vs.#50 and the Hyundai Azera up to #35 vs.#59.

Previous post: Gulf Full Year 2011: Toyota Hilux, Corolla and Camry on top

Full February 2012 Top 150 Ranking Table below.