ABU DHABI: Japanese carmaker Nissan will soon introduce two more Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs) in Saudi Arabia as it takes advantage of the Kingdom’s position as the leading car market in the Gulf region.
“We have more cars coming in the SUV ranges to meet different customers’ needs. Two of these SUVs will be introduced soon in Saudi Arabia, and one of them will be launched from Saudi to the rest of the region,” Adib Takieddine, the managing director at Nissan Saudi Arabia, told Arab News during the global launch of the all-new 2025 Patrol in Abu Dhabi.
“Saudi Arabia is the biggest market in the GCC for automotive, representing slightly above 50 percent of the overall TIV (Total Industry Volume),” Takieddine added.
Car imports topped 93,199 units in 2023 and 66,870 units in 2022 – mostly from Japan, India, South Korea, the US and Thailand – according to the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority, making the Kingdom one of the top 20 car markets globally.
The launch of two more SUVs in the Kingdom would complement the newly-unveiled Nissan Patrol – which received a massive makeover from its previous iteration – which, according to Takieddine, changes the landscape for that segment. There was however no specific mention which SUV models would be introduced.
“We are excited to launch the new Patrol… that will change ground roles for its segment, with the way it looks, the power it brings with the new engine options, the way it empowers with advanced technologies, some of which introduced for the first time in its SUV segment, and the way it feels in the premium comfort of its cabin,” he said.
With more options for its SUV clients, Nissan hopes to strengthen its position in the Saudi car market.
“The automotive industry is very competitive and dynamic, especially in Saudi, with the size of the country and the different age groups, where more than two-thirds of the population is young,” Takieddine explained.
Saudi consumer preferences for new vehicles, particularly those of the country’s tech-savvy youth, are increasingly aligned with those in Western markets, one survey noted. This means growing demand for technology-based features including advanced connectivity, infotainment systems, autonomous parking and driving assistance.
“The new Patrol introduces new technologies, some of them for the first time in the segment, such as biometric cooling [designed to maintain optimal comfort regardless of external temperatures], MyNissan [an app that connect the driver with the car] and the 28.6-inch horizontal Monolith display [which enables the driver to project and view ultra-wide images and enjoy full view of the vehicle],” Takieddine said.
“This shows our commitment to always provide the best technologies for our customers.”
Meanwhile, Nissan is also aligning itself with the Saudi government’s thrust towards the consumer adoption of electric vehicles. The Kingdom has set a goal to transition 30 percent of all vehicles in Riyadh to electric by 2030.
“We are committed to an electric future, as illustrated by our Ambition 2030 long-term vision. Our near-term plan, The Arc, includes launching 30 new electrified and internal combustion engines vehicles globally, 13 will be launched in the AMIEO region,” Takieddine said.
