China Becomes Saudi Arabia's Largest Auto Importer, Surpassing Japan and South Korea
Source: Global Times
According to recent revelations by Saudi Arabia's Al-Sharq Al-Awsat newspaper, Saudi Arabia imported approximately 1.9 million vehicles over the past two years, with China emerging as one of the country's primary suppliers in the automotive market.
Data released by the General Authority for Zakat, Tax and Customs (ZATCA) shows that Saudi Arabia imported around 940,000 vehicles in 2024. In 2025, the number rose to approximately 960,000, further expanding the nation’s already globally prominent automotive market size.
The report notes that China has been Saudi Arabia’s top source of imported vehicles over the past two years. Japan ranks second, followed by India, Thailand, and South Korea. The United States comes in sixth, with American-made cars experiencing a significant decline in market share within Saudi Arabia.
According to Saudi Car Network, although Japanese and South Korean vehicles have long dominated the Saudi automotive market, Chinese car brands are now growing at an annual rate of 10% to 15%. A 2026 economic report indicates that Chinese car brands are expected to sell more than 120,000 units annually in the Saudi market—reflecting the increasing trust Saudi consumers place in Chinese automobiles.
"In recent years, I've noticed a steady increase in Chinese car brands on Saudi streets," said Abdul-Aziz Shabani, researcher at Riyadh Center for Political and Strategic Studies in Saudi Arabia. "The design aesthetics and advanced technology features of Chinese vehicles are gaining greater recognition among local consumers. Chinese cars have now become significant players in the Saudi automotive market."
"A few years ago, Chinese cars were seen as a budget option for a small segment of buyers. Today, they have evolved into major competitors in the Saudi market—especially electric vehicles, which have become one of the key drivers behind recent industry growth," analyzed the online car purchasing platform Syarah. It attributes the success of Chinese automakers in securing consumer trust in Saudi Arabia to multiple factors, including cutting-edge features and technologies, continuous expansion of dealer networks and service centers. Meanwhile, the rising trend of Chinese new energy vehicles aligns well with Saudi Arabia’s “Vision 2030” goals for sustainable development.
Industry insiders cited in the report note that some Chinese auto brands have already begun competing with Japanese and South Korean brands across multiple market segments. It is expected that this upward trend will continue through the second half of 2026, fueled by the launch of new models and broader regional expansion of existing brands across Saudi Arabia. (Reporting by Ren Haoyu, Special Correspondent of Global Times in Saudi Arabia ● Ren Zhong)
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1867752222816263/
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