The Middle East region covers a large warm territory, cradle of human culture, for centuries united under the Persian Empire. Normally also North African countries are included in the region, but we prefer to border the region to all States between Suez Channel and Iran. At the moment, we are also not including countries of former Soviet Union.

Therefore, countries included in this report are 14: Turkey, Iraq, Israel, Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Yemen, Qatar, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates and Iran. We are including Iran, considering this market is the biggest in the region, in spite of official data on sales are not available and market volume estimate are based on official production data.

In the 2011, the Middle East sales were 3.6 million, representing the 4.8% of global light vehicles market. In the first part of the 2012, the region was penalized by decline of the two major countries, Iran and Turkey. Although all GCC countries are booming, 2012 is projected flat from 2011.

In the table below, the region countries ordered by size:

Turkey market is very similar to main Europeans markets, with Fiat as market leader and others European makers in the top ranking. Japanese brands are still marginal and Koreans are growing from the bottom. Few Chinese players are present, but with marginal impact over sales.

The countries along the Mediterranean cost have in common a strong Korean brands leadership that, in case of Jordan and Syria, arrives at an embarrassing domain with 19 Koreans products in the top 20 models, while in case of Israel, by Hyundai market leadership.

The countries of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) are the exclusive reign of Toyota, leader in all of them with market share between 30 and 50%.

In the tables below, the Top 10 Brands sales and share year to date May 2012 for Turkey, Israel, Saudi Arab, UAE, Oman, Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar:

As far as the others country, the biggest is Iraq, with estimated sales of new vehicles above 70.000 units per year. This market is re-starting after the long war and the not stable peace. The potential is huge, considering the population of 31 million people and the low car park. However, the purchase power is still very low, with pro capita income at US $ 3.900 (2011). GDP is growing fast (2011 at 9.8%) and should be double digit in the next 5 years, pushing market volume up. Car makers are re-organizing their structure with GM and Hyundai faster than others.

Syria and Lebanon markets are stable and uncertain, dominated by Koreans.

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