Chinese Car Market in Saudi Arabia 2025 Sales Numbers Reveal Surprises

The Saudi automotive market is moving at a fast pace, with Chinese brands continuing to strengthen their presence amid fierce competition from Japanese and Korean rivals. While the first half of 2025 showed impressive growth for some players, others experienced notable declines, reflecting the challenges these brands face in the largest car market in the Middle East.

What is the sales volume of Chinese cars in Saudi Arabia in the first half of 2025?

Between January and June 2025, total car sales in the Kingdom reached 411,254 units, out of which 47,728 were Chinese models, securing a market share of 11.6%.

Compared to the same period in 2024, when sales stood at 55,626 units, this represents a decline of 14.2%. Meanwhile, non-Chinese brands recorded 363,526 sales, capturing 88.4% of the market, confirming that competition still leans in favor of traditional giants like Toyota, Hyundai, and Kia.

How did Changan, MG, and Geely perform in the Saudi market?

Despite the overall slowdown, Changan maintained its lead among Chinese brands with 11,594 units sold, compared to 14,359 in 2024, marking a 19.2% drop. This decline reflects its reliance on traditional mid-size SUVs and its limited presence in hybrid and electric segments.

MG came second with 10,200 sales, but the brand lost more than a third of its volume (-34.1%) compared to 15,500 units last year. Strong price competition from newer brands and shrinking demand for budget sedans in favor of compact and mid-size SUVs weighed heavily on its performance.

Geely ranked third with 9,545 cars sold, down 30.9% from 13,820 in 2024. Although it offers a wide model lineup, the fierce competition in the economy and mid-size segments caused a significant erosion of its market share.

Which Chinese brands showed remarkable growth?

Unlike the big names that faced declines, several other Chinese brands recorded impressive gains:

• Jetour: Achieved the highest growth with sales jumping 63% to 8,264 units, driven by the popularity of the T1 and T2 SUVs and a family friendly pricing strategy.

• Haval: Increased sales by 37% to 6,131 units, supported by the refreshed H6, the launch of the H7 and H9, and strong marketing campaigns.

• Tank: Despite having a limited lineup, sales rose 17.8% to 918 units thanks to rising demand for premium off-road SUVs such as the Tank 500.

In contrast, Great Wall Pickup continued its decline, dropping 34.3% to 1,076 units under heavy competition in the small pickup segment from Japanese and Korean brands.

What are the reasons behind the decline of Chinese car sales in Saudi Arabia?

The drop in market share of Chinese cars by 14.2% in the first half of 2025 can be explained by several key factors:

• Price changes: Some brands raised prices at the beginning of the year due to higher shipping costs and raw material expenses.

• Strong competition: New models from Toyota, Nissan, Hyundai, and Kia entered the market with attractive features tailored to Saudi consumers.

• Supply delays: Certain brands faced shipping and production delays, which affected the availability of popular models.

• Shifts in consumer preferences: Buyers became more selective after the initial wave of enthusiasm for Chinese cars, focusing on proven reliability and aftersales support.

• Economic factors: Changes in purchasing power among some customer groups and a growing preference for more flexible financing options.

Sales Comparison Between H1 2024 and H1 2025

Where Are Chinese Car Sales in Saudi Arabia Heading?

Market forecasts suggest that the second half of 2025 will be a decisive phase for Chinese brands in Saudi Arabia. Many are expected to regain momentum through updated model launches, attractive financing, and extended warranty offers. At the same time, Jetour and Haval are likely to maintain their upward trajectory thanks to strategies tailored to local consumer needs, while established names like Changan and MG will have to adjust their pricing and product mix to counter the fierce competition from Japanese and Korean rivals.