Gulf May 2012: 5 Toyotas in Top 5

Toyota Corolla in Dubai, UAE. Picture by thephotopad, all rights reserved.

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

The Gulf Cooperation Council is composed of the sates bordering the Persian Gulf: Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Oman. The region is currently one of the most dynamic in the world, if not the most: new car sales are up a massive 33% year-on-year in May to 129,359 registrations and up 18% year-to-date to 598,231 units. This month Toyota places 5 models in the Top 5 (one more than usual). The Toyota Hilux is by far the most popular model in the region with 11,531 sales and 8.9% share in May and 52,108 and 8.7% year-to-date. It is #1 in Saudi Arabia, Oman and Qatar.

Toyota Land Cruiser. Picture by omohat, all rights reserved.

The Toyota Corolla is up 4 spots on April to #2 with 6,829 units and 5.3%, it is also #2 year-to-date at 29,647 sales and 5% but is #1 nowhere in the region. After two months in 2nd place, the Toyota Land Cruiser is down to #3 with 6,639 units and 5.1%, ranking #1 in Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates. It is followed by the Toyota Prado at 6,367 units and 4.9% (and #1 in Kuwait) and the Toyota Camry with 5,149 sales and 4%.

Toyota Land Cruiser Pick-up

As usual the Top 10 is only composed of Toyotas and Hyundais and Hyundai places 3 models within the 10 favourites: the Accent is #6, the Elantra #8 and the Sonata #10. There are two more Toyotas in the Top 10: the Land Cruiser Pick-up at a very strong #7 and 3% share (vs. 2.2% in 2011) and the Yaris at #9.

Other great performers in the Top 20 include the Ford Expedition up to #12 (vs. #34 in 2011), the GMC Yukon up to #16 and the Nissan Sunny up to #19. Further down, notice the Lexus LX at #21, the Kia Sportage at #26, the Kia Optima at #28, the Hyundai Azera at #32, the Chevrolet Malibu at #45, the Chevrolet Aveo at #46 and the Renault Duster making its first appearance in the ranking at #100.

Previous post: Gulf March 2012: Toyota Hilux and Land Cruiser dominate

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

Full May 2012 Top 150 Ranking Table below.