The six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries ― Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates ― imported eight billion Emirati dirhams ($ 2.2 billion) worth of Japanese passenger cars in 2000. The overall imports of Japanese cars to the GCC markets, including diesel cars, increased by about five percent last year.
According to the latest statistical report by the Japan External Trade Organization, JETRO, the import of Japanese cars into the UAE market showed seven percent growth during 2000. While the country imported $ 622 million worth motorcars fitted with petrol engines, the import of diesel cars increased by a phenomenal 30 percent from $57 million in 1999 to $74 million last year.
All GCC markets in general reported impressive growth in import of Japanese cars during 2000. Qatar imported $142 million worth Japanese cars, representing over 30 percent growth over its imports in 1999, while Oman imported $320 million worth of Japanese cars representing 25 percent growth over the previous year.
Saudi Arabia imported $777.5 million worth Japanese cars in 2000 against $ 793 in 1999, while Bahrain’s car imports from Japan increased by about 3.5 percent form $ 56.5 million in 1999 to $ 58 million in 2000.
“Japanese cars are very popular in the Gulf region because they are priced extremely competitively and have good re-sale value. These cars measure up to the high quality expectations of the car buyers in the context of extreme climatic conditions that demand tough performance,” said an industry source
The Japanese automobile manufacturers have a significant presence in the GCC markets. Most of the leading Japanese car manufactures such as Toyota, Nissan, Honda, Mazda, Daihatsu and Suzuki will be participating in the 6th Middle East International Motor Show to be held at the Dubai World Trade Center (DWTC) from November 8 to 12, 2000. The show expects participation from over 350 companies from across the world, aiming to attract over 60,000 visitors. ― (MENA Report)
© 2001 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
