Hyundai Accent
SEOUL, Aug. 18 (Korea Bizwire) — Hyundai Motor and Kia are accelerating their momentum in Saudi Arabia, the Middle East’s largest automotive market, by claiming the top two best-selling vehicles in the first half of 2025 — a region long dominated by Japanese brands like Toyota and Nissan.
According to sales data released by Hyundai and Kia on Sunday, the Hyundai Accent and Kia Pegas sold 19,081 and 15,528 units respectively from January through June, ranking first and second in vehicle sales across Saudi Arabia. Hyundai’s Elantra followed in fourth place with 13,066 units sold.
This continued success builds on previous years, with the Accent maintaining a top-tier presence in 2023 and 2024, selling over 30,000 units each year.
Brand-wise, Hyundai secured second place with 61,510 vehicles sold in the first half of 2025, followed by Kia in third with 34,649 units. Toyota remains the market leader with 118,022 units sold, but Hyundai Motor Group’s combined total of 96,159 narrows the gap significantly to just over 21,000 vehicles.
Hyundai sold nearly 120,000 vehicles in Saudi Arabia in 2023, while Kia reached over 63,000 units — a major leap from the previous year.
Kia Pegas
Boost from Local Production
Hyundai Motor Group’s local foothold is set to grow even stronger thanks to a new joint venture with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF).
In May 2024, the two parties established HMMME — Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Middle East — the first Hyundai production base in the region. Once operational in late 2026, the facility is expected to produce 50,000 electric and internal combustion vehicles annually.
Hyundai’s Elantra
Saudi Arabia, which accounted for 34% of all vehicles sold in the Middle East last year (840,000 out of 2.49 million), is seen as a strategic market for Hyundai and Kia. The popularity of compact sedans in the country has played to the strengths of both brands.
“Compact sedans continue to dominate in Saudi Arabia, and Hyundai and Kia have successfully tapped into that demand with well-positioned offerings,” said an industry official.
With increasing local production capabilities and sustained consumer demand, Hyundai and Kia appear well-positioned to continue their climb in the Middle Eastern auto hierarchy.
Kevin Lee (kevinlee@koreabizwire.com)
