Car sales in Saudi rise 20% for leading importer

A leading car import firm in Saudi has revealed sales rose by 20 percent in the first quarter of 2009, suggesting the kingdom's motor industry is bucking the global trend, it was reported on Saturday.

The figure was announced at the media launch of the MINI Cabrio in Riyadh last week – and showed the Saudi economy remained strong despite the current global crisis, according a director at Mohamed Yousuf Naghi Motors, an exclusive importer of BMW group brands, BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce.

“If increased sales has any indication of robust economic condition in Saudi Arabia, we have posted a 20 percent growth in the first quarter of 2009,” said the firm's marketing director Anees Jamjoom, according to Saudi daily Saudi Gazette.

“I don’t say the Saudi car market is totally unaffected by the current international economic crisis but the future for Saudi automotive sector is very promising as there has been increasing demand for imported cars that offer innovative design, style and performance,” he added.

Priced in the range of SR95,000 to SR115,000 the MINI Cabrio is expected to continue to attract customers, adding that its debut to the  market was in the same year as the MINI brand was celebrating its 50th birthday.

As part of a SR300m expansion plan, Mohamed Yousuf Naghi Motors recently opened the world’s biggest BMW Group service center in Jeddah, as well as a new fast-lane service MINI and BWM Premium selection showroom in Riyadh.

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