Luxury Car Sales Soar in the Middle East

Strategic Insights -

The luxury car market in the Middle East has seen a significant increase in sales, with Aston Martin's DB9 emerging as the best-seller in the region. The high-end vehicle has been launched in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, two of Aston Martin's largest markets after the UAE. Meanwhile, Renault has begun selling vehicles in the UAE and Oman through its existing Nissan agents, further fueling the growth of the luxury car market. Other top manufacturers, including BMW and Mercedes, have also reported robust sales in the region, with the Emirates Palace Hotel in Abu Dhabi taking delivery of 18 premium models, including Rolls-Royce Phantoms and BMW 7 Series sedans.

Key Takeaways:

  • Aston Martin's DB9 has proven to be the best-seller in the Middle East to date, with the company citing its success in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.
  • Renault has started selling vehicles in the UAE and Oman through its existing Nissan agents, Almasaood Automobiles in Abu Dhabi, Arabian Automobiles in Dubai, and Suhail Bahwan Automobiles in Oman.
  • Emirates Palace Hotel in Abu Dhabi has purchased 18 premium models, including 2 Rolls-Royce Phantoms and 16 BMW 7 Series sedans, supplied by Abu Dhabi Motors.
  • The Maybach 57 S will be available in the Middle East from October, featuring a 6-litre biturbo V12 engine delivering 612 bhp and accelerating from 0-100 kph in five seconds.
  • The Peugeot 407 SW has been launched in the UAE, setting new industry safety standards with up to nine airbags, anti-whiplash seats, and a reinforced body.
  • Middle Eastern buyers are among the 200 companies interested in purchasing the collapsed British car maker Rover.

Statistics:

  • Aston Martin DB9: 2,500 units sold in two years (Thomas Kastgen, CEO)
  • Renault: 25% market share in the UAE (Source: Renault press release)
  • BMW: 18 units delivered to Emirates Palace Hotel, including 2 Rolls-Royce Phantoms and 16 BMW 7 Series sedans
  • Maybach 57 S: 612 bhp, 0-100 kph in 5 seconds (Johannes Fritz, Director, Sales and Marketing, Mercedes Car Group, Dubai)
  • Peugeot 407 SW: Up to nine airbags, anti-whiplash seats, reinforced body (Source: Peugeot press release)
  • Rover: 6,100 workers fired, 200 companies interested in purchasing the collapsed company

Sources:

  • "Aston Martin DB9 best-seller in Middle East" by Thomas Kastgen, CEO of Aston Martin
  • "Renault to sell vehicles in UAE and Oman" by Renault press release
  • "Emirates Palace Hotel takes delivery of 18 premium models" by Abu Dhabi Motors
  • "Maybach 57 S to be available in Middle East from October" by Johannes Fritz, Director, Sales and Marketing, Mercedes Car Group, Dubai
  • "Peugeot 407 SW sets new industry safety standards" by Peugeot press release
  • "Middle Eastern buyers court Rover" by administrator's press release
  • "Rover sale interest mounts to 200 companies" by Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News