The general context of the car market in Saudi Arabia
The Saudi Arabian automotive market is one of the largest and most dynamic in the Middle East and North Africa region. With the Kingdom's rapid economic development under Vision 2030, demand is increasing significantly for various types of vehicles, whether for personal or commercial use, or to support mega infrastructure projects. In this context, regulatory bodies such as the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO) play a crucial role in ensuring the quality and safety of these vehicles before they enter the local market.
Statistics on imports of modern vehicles
A recent report issued by the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO) revealed impressive figures reflecting the scale of economic and commercial activity in the automotive sector. The total number of vehicles and cars for which companies applied to import them from outside the Kingdom, under the "Imported Vehicle Inspection" service, reached approximately 227,951. This figure was recorded within a relatively short period, from January 2nd to May 20th, a span of just 139 days. This means that SASO was receiving an average of approximately 1,640 import applications daily.
Most requested models and brands
Statistics showed a clear preference for newer models, with vehicles manufactured for the 2025 model year accounting for the largest share at a total of 56,051 cars. This was followed by vehicles manufactured in 2021 at 39,233 cars, then 2022 models at 29,856 cars, and 2023 models at approximately 25,184 vehicles. The 2024 models accounted for around 14,659 vehicles, while import orders for cars manufactured for the 2026 model year reached approximately 10,696 cars. Overall, the years of manufacture for imported vehicles ranged from 1998 to 2026.
As for brands, five major global companies topped the list of manufacturers of imported vehicles and parts: Mercedes, Hyundai, Toyota, Kia, and BMW, reflecting consumer and business confidence in these prestigious brands.
Vehicle diversity and its economic implications
Imports were not limited to ordinary passenger cars, but encompassed a wide variety of vehicles to meet the needs of various vital sectors. The list included: cars, heavy equipment, tractor heads, SUVs (Jeeps), vans, trucks of all types, ambulances, dump trucks, concrete pumps, water tankers, refrigerated trucks, flatbed trucks, minibuses and large buses, pickup trucks (Hiluxes), and trucks equipped with mobile homes. This extensive diversity clearly reflects the need to meet the growing demands of construction, logistics, and healthcare projects throughout the Kingdom.
Gulf inspection procedures and safety standards
To ensure efficiency and speed, the relevant authorities have set the cost of the "Imported Vehicle Inspection" service at approximately 300 Saudi Riyals per vehicle. The service is exceptionally fast, taking only 15 minutes to complete. This service handles the inspection request and issues a payment number for vehicles referred by the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority.
In its commitment to consumer safety and environmental protection, the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO) has emphasized the mandatory compliance of all imported vehicles with Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) standard specifications. This strategic step aims to prevent the entry of vehicles manufactured for markets with different climatic or environmental requirements that are incompatible with the Kingdom's climate and roads, thus ensuring the highest levels of safety and reliability for all road users.
