Please find below, studies on the Automotive sector.

• Press coverage on cruise control despite economic crises for Automotive industry

  The automotive sector in the Middle East was one of the sectors hit hard by the economic recession, but it has shown strong signs of recovery ever since. 11 Automobile companies were monitored in the UAE and Saudi markets, in September 2009 (BMW, Mercedes, Toyota, Renault, Lexus, Honda, Nissan, Chevrolet, Cadillac, Mazda and Ferrari), with a focus on 3 luxury brands’ coverage (BMW, Mercedes and Lexus).

• Auto-industry deals with inflation and credit

  Cars can almost be looked at as a necessity in the UAE with public transportation systems still in the works to alleviate the congested buses and substitute the expensive taxis. In the midst of global inflation, reaching 11.1% in 2007 in the UAE, car purchase decisions are affected.

  Car sales in the UAE grew 37% year-on-year in the H1 of 2008. This increase in sales despite inflation can be justified with three main components; the necessity of having a car, banks’ involvement in providing the necessary financing and a dynamic population growth.