Renault Middle East is marking a record-breaking first quarter, as it achieves its highest ever GCC market share (1.5 percent). Despite a decline in the region’s overall market, Renault Middle East has secured an increase of 0.29 percent in the first quarter of 2018, compared to its position in the same quarter last year.
In Egypt, where the best-selling model is the Kadjar SUV, Renault was ranked the fourth best-selling automotive brand in the county at the end of the first quarter of 2018, holding a market share of 7.42 percent.
The MY Renault app — which allows customers to book service appointments in just a few clicks — has seen rising numbers of users. Today, 83 percent of customers in the GCC are connected to the app, with around 700 users signing in per day, and, in Q1 of 2018, 6 percent of all workshop entries in the GCC were booked using the app.
Renault Middle East hosted its inaugural “After-sales Convention” in Istanbul, which saw 50 participants from its importer network meet with after-sales experts from the global and regional teams to focus on quality and service.
Marwan Haidamous, managing director of Renault Middle East, said: “We’ve seen a strong start to 2018 which is thanks to many factors. The team at Renault Middle East is working hard to bring the brand to the position it deserves to be in the region, which is challenging in the current market conditions.
“With a strong focus on the digital customer experience we are making the lives of our customers easier and more convenient; a proof point of this is the rise we have seen in workshop entries from digital, which has increased by 130 percent across the region.
“And, we’ve also been pushing hard with high-profile marketing campaigns to raise awareness of the brand — the biggest of which has been our partnership with The Voice Arabia. Through that partnership alone we saw a rise in our share of voice, online search inquiries increased by 45 percent, and we facilitated over 400 test drives.”
Renault Middle East announces record Q1 results
Renault Middle East announces record Q1 results
New energy vehicles drive next phase of mobility in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia stands at a defining moment in its mobility transformation. Under Vision 2030, the Kingdom is accelerating its transition toward cleaner, smarter and more connected transport systems.
New energy vehicles are at the center of this shift, offering a pathway to a more sustainable automotive ecosystem. Yet while consumer interest is rising rapidly, converting intent into everyday adoption will depend on how effectively the wider mobility system evolves alongside electric vehicles.
Recent nationwide research by Al-Futtaim highlights the strength of this momentum. More than 70 percent of Saudi residents surveyed are already familiar with NEVs, while nearly eight in 10 say they would consider purchasing one as their next vehicle. Most notably, 80 percent expect to buy an electric vehicle within the next three years, signaling that the transition is moving from aspiration to reality.
Despite this optimism, important barriers remain. Range anxiety continues to be the most frequently cited concern, alongside high purchase prices and long charging times. Practical considerations dominate purchasing decisions, with affordability and access to charging infrastructure outweighing environmental motivations. These findings underline a pressing reality: consumers will embrace NEVs at scale only when electric mobility feels as convenient, reliable and accessible as conventional driving.
For industry leaders, this represents both an opportunity and a responsibility. Jerome Saigot, managing director of Al-Futtaim BYD KSA, said: “Saudi Arabia is building the foundations for a future-ready mobility system under Vision 2030. The opportunity now is to connect the dots, bringing together vehicles, charging infrastructure, consumer education and service capability to unlock confident, large-scale adoption of new energy vehicles.”
Charging networks therefore play a central role in supporting adoption, but they are not the only requirement. NEV uptake is closely linked to how cities are planned, how people commute and how transport systems connect.
Emerging mobility models also point to a more connected future. High levels of openness to mobility-as-a-service, autonomous vehicles and shared transport indicate that Saudi consumers are receptive to innovation. However, these technologies will succeed only if they are embedded within systems that link vehicles, infrastructure, data and urban design.
Successful electric mobility ecosystems need to be built around coordinated rather than isolated initiatives. Electric vehicles perform best when supported by reliable charging, smart traffic management, efficient public transport and well-designed urban environments. In this context, NEVs benefit directly from parallel investment in rail, bus networks, digital platforms and active mobility infrastructure.
Encouragingly, public confidence in Saudi Arabia’s long-term mobility vision remains strong. More than 85 percent of respondents surveyed by Al-Futtaim believe the Kingdom is on track to lead in future mobility. Consumers also clearly identify priorities for continued progress, including expanding charging infrastructure, improving mass transportation and strengthening regulatory frameworks.
For policymakers, investors and industry players, the message is clear. The next phase of mobility transformation must focus on alignment: aligning infrastructure with consumer expectations, aligning innovation with everyday needs, and aligning public and private investment around shared outcomes.
Saudi Arabia’s mobility transition is no longer a distant ambition. It is unfolding now, shaped by confident consumers, ambitious institutions and accelerating technological change. By building connected systems that place people at their center, the Kingdom can ensure that electric mobility becomes a lasting part of its sustainable future.
To explore these insights and recommendations in more detail, download The Future of Mobility in Saudi Arabia.
