Saudi Arabia Responsible for More Than Half of GCC Car Sales

Saudi Arabia has solidified its position as a dominant force in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) car market, accounting for more than half of all car sales within the region. The Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA) disclosed that over 160,000 cars were imported into the Kingdom during the period of 2022-2023, underscoring its prominence in the automotive sector.

In 2023 alone, imports surged to 93,199 cars. In contrast, 66,870 cars entered the country in 2022. ZATCA's spokesperson, Hamoud Al-Harbi, highlighted Japan, India, Republic of Korea, the United States, and Thailand as the primary exporters of cars to Saudi Arabia during this period.

With more cars on the road, there is also a greater need for ensuring safety. The Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO) conducted meticulous inspections on 60,473 vehicles in 2023 to ensure adherence to stringent technical and safety standards. Additionally, SASO issued 18,150 energy efficiency certificates for tire products.

Wael Al Dhiyab, spokesperson for SASO, reiterated the organisation's commitment to upholding tire quality and safety standards in the Saudi market. He emphasised SASO's efforts to promote energy efficiency, citing a notable increase of 465 percent in certificates of conformity for electric vehicles in 2023 compared to the previous year.

The rise in electric vehicle certifications underscores SASO's pivotal role in facilitating the transition to clean energy. The SASO issued 1,505 fuel efficiency labels for new light vehicles, further solidifying Saudi Arabia's commitment to sustainability and economic development in the automotive sector.