DAMMAM, 17 February 2003 — Saudi Arabia has the most car factories in the Gulf region, with 132 from a total of 208. The total amount of investment in automobile factories reached $874 million, according to a study conducted by an economic center in Bahrain. The factories specialize in assembling body parts for trucks, garbage trucks, caravans and trailers. There are 11 factories producing engine filters with a production capacity of 4.7 million units a year, six factories producing oil filters with a production capacity of 17 million units a year, and three factories that produce gasoline filters with a capacity of 2.4 million units a year. According to local economists, investment in the sector is likely to increase over the coming years. Gulf countries form a huge market, which could attract big car manufacturers to move the production of many leading models to the region.