Saudi Arabia Automotive Engine Market Overview, 2029
The automotive engine market in Saudi Arabia roars with a unique engine, quite literally, compared to the global landscape. While the world grapples with electric vehicle (EV) adoption, Saudi Arabia presents a fascinating anomaly. Here, under the desert sun, internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles reign supreme, and for reasons that extend beyond just oil reserves. Firstly, Saudi Arabia boasts the world's highest concentration of luxury car ownership per capita. With a growing affluent population and a cultural affinity for high-performance vehicles, powerful ICE engines remain the preferred choice. This indulgence translates to a thriving market for premium engines, a segment most car manufacturers globally are neglecting in favor of EVs. This presents a lucrative opportunity for companies specializing in high-horsepower ICE engines to cater to this discerning clientele. Secondly, Saudi Arabia's harsh desert climate throws a wrench into the EV equation. Extreme heat significantly reduces the driving range of EVs, a major deterrent for consumers accustomed to long desert journeys. Additionally, the nation's underdeveloped charging infrastructure creates significant range anxiety. This has fueled a recent trend – the ""desert modification"" – where car enthusiasts are retrofitting their existing SUVs and trucks with even more powerful ICE engines to conquer the dunes. This niche market offers a unique entry point for companies specializing in high-performance aftermarket engine parts. Finally, the recent announcement of a Saudi-based assembly plant utilizing the CKD (completely knocked down) system for both electric and ICE cars presents a fascinating twist. This initiative, driven by Vision 2030's goals for clean mobility, indicates a potential shift towards domestic production. The report explores the potential implications of this development and how it might influence future demand for imported engines.
According to the research report ""Saudi Arabia Automotive Engine Market Overview, 2029,"" published by Bonafide Research, the Saudi Arabian Automotive Engine market is projected to grow to more than 1800 Million USD by 2029. The automotive engine market in Saudi Arabia is a complex landscape driven by a confluence of economic, social, and governmental forces. On the one hand, the kingdom's Vision 2030 plan acts as a powerful driver, pushing for diversification away from an oil-reliant economy. This translates to a growing demand for automobiles, with a projected industry growth rate of 12% by 2030. This translates to a significant increase in demand for new engines, with a growing preference for fuel-efficient options as the government pushes for cleaner mobility solutions. Additionally, Saudi Arabia's young and increasingly affluent population is developing a taste for powerful engines, particularly for SUVs, the dominant vehicle segment in the region. This creates a unique market where fuel efficiency and performance needs coexist. However, this promising market also faces unique challenges. Strict import regulations and high tariffs inflate the cost of vehicles, including those featuring next-generation engines. This can act as a barrier to widespread adoption of both fuel-efficient and high-performance engines. Furthermore, the current lack of a mature local supply chain for engine parts creates a dependence on imports, which can be disrupted by global market fluctuations. Another hurdle lies in the established infrastructure. Despite efforts to improve public transportation, Saudi Arabia remains a car-centric society with a heavy reliance on personal vehicles. This ingrained dependence on gasoline-powered cars creates a hesitancy towards electric vehicles, whose adoption hinges on the development of a comprehensive and reliable charging network, especially beyond major cities.
Dominating the scene in product type segmentation are inline engines, particularly 4-cylinder units. Driven by factors like fuel efficiency and affordability, these engines are the preferred choice for a large portion of Saudi Arabia's passenger car segment, especially budget-conscious sedans and compact SUVs. The simplicity of design and ease of maintenance further solidify their position in a market where practicality reigns supreme. However, with growing demands for performance and features, a rise in displacement towards 6-cylinder inline engines is expected, particularly for premium sedans and larger SUVs. The allure of power and prestige associated with V-type engines makes them a popular choice within the high-performance and luxury car segments in Saudi Arabia. American muscle cars and their powerful V8 engines continue to hold a certain mystique, while premium European and Japanese brands offering V6 configurations cater to a growing segment of performance-oriented buyers. The emphasis on off-road capability also fuels the demand for V6 engines in SUVs and trucks, where they offer a compelling balance of power and fuel efficiency. The W-type engine configuration, with its inherent packaging advantages and potential for improved power delivery, has yet to gain significant traction in the Saudi Arabian market. This is primarily due to its higher production complexity and cost, making it less suitable for the mass-produced, budget-conscious segments that dominate the market. However, with the growing focus on fuel efficiency and power density, there might be a niche for W-type engines in future high-performance hybrid or electric vehicles.
Undisputedly, gasoline reigns supreme in the Saudi Arabian automotive engine market when it comes to segmenting the market by fuel type. This dominance is primarily driven by a well-established infrastructure for gasoline distribution, coupled with historically lower gasoline prices compared to diesel. Additionally, the aforementioned preference for smaller, fuel-efficient engines in the passenger car segment further bolsters the gasoline engine market share. However, with rising fuel prices and increasing environmental concerns, a slight shift towards more fuel-efficient technologies cannot be entirely ruled out. Diesel engines hold a significant share in the commercial vehicle segment, particularly for trucks and buses. Their superior torque and hauling capacity make them ideal for heavy-duty applications. The government's focus on infrastructure development projects is expected to maintain steady demand for diesel engines in the commercial vehicle sector. However, stricter emission regulations and the potential for rising diesel prices could dampen this segment's growth in the long term. The ""Other Fuels"" segment in Saudi Arabia's automotive engine market is currently nascent but holds immense potential. This segment encompasses hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), and battery electric vehicles (BEVs). Government initiatives promoting fuel diversification and environmental sustainability are expected to drive the adoption of these technologies. Furthermore, rising fuel prices and increasing consumer awareness about environmental issues could incentivize a gradual shift towards these alternative fuel options. Additionally, the vastness of the Saudi landscape might see a rise in LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) powered vehicles, especially for budget-conscious commercial applications. The availability of charging infrastructure and government incentives will be crucial factors determining the pace of growth in this segment.
The mainstay of the Saudi automotive engine market upon segmentation by vehicle type, passenger cars are primarily equipped with in-line engines, with a growing preference for 4-cylinder configurations due to fuel efficiency concerns. However, the popularity of SUVs, particularly those with off-road capabilities, could see a rise in demand for V6 engines. The premium car segment might witness a niche market for W-type engines. When it comes to fuel types, gasoline remains king, but stricter regulations and rising fuel prices could nudge some buyers towards HEVs, especially in cities. A growing segment, motorcycles in Saudi Arabia are predominantly powered by smaller, fuel-efficient gasoline engines due to their affordability and practicality for navigating congested urban areas. However, as regulations evolve and safety awareness increases, there might be a shift towards larger engine motorcycles for long-distance touring enthusiasts. The workhorse of the Saudi economy, commercial vehicles like trucks and buses rely heavily on diesel engines for their power and fuel efficiency when carrying heavy loads. However, with increasing environmental concerns, a gradual shift towards cleaner alternatives like CNG (compressed natural gas) engines, especially for short-haul applications, cannot be ruled out. Additionally, the construction and mining sectors might see some adoption of electric powered heavy machinery in the future. This diverse segment encompasses construction equipment, agricultural machinery, and other specialized vehicles. Here, the engine choice is dictated by specific needs. Construction machinery often utilizes diesel engines for their raw power, while agricultural equipment might opt for smaller, fuel-efficient gasoline or LPG engines. The future might see the introduction of electric or hybrid powered construction equipment for urban projects with stricter emission regulations.
Considered in this report
• Historic year: 2018
• Base year: 2023
• Estimated year: 2024
• Forecast year: 2029
Aspects covered in this report
• Automotive Engine market Outlook with its value and forecast along with its segments
• Various drivers and challenges
• On-going trends and developments
• Top profiled companies
• Strategic recommendation
By Product Type
• In-line Engine
• V-type Engine
• W Engine
By Fuel Type
• Gasoline
• Diesel
• Other Fuel
By Vehicle Type
• Passengers Car
• Motorcycles
• Commercial Vehicles (Trucks, Buses, Etc)
• Special Purpose Vehicles (Construction machinery, agricultural machinery, etc)
The approach of the report:This report consists of a combined approach of primary and secondary research. Initially, secondary research was used to get an understanding of the market and list the companies that are present in it. The secondary research consists of third-party sources such as press releases, annual reports of companies, and government-generated reports and databases. After gathering the data from secondary sources, primary research was conducted by conducting telephone interviews with the leading players about how the market is functioning and then conducting trade calls with dealers and distributors of the market. Post this; we have started making primary calls to consumers by equally segmenting them in regional aspects, tier aspects, age group, and gender. Once we have primary data with us, we can start verifying the details obtained from secondary sources.
Intended audienceThis report can be useful to industry consultants, manufacturers, suppliers, associations, and organizations related to the Automotive Engine industry, government bodies, and other stakeholders to align their market-centric strategies. In addition to marketing and presentations, it will also increase competitive knowledge about the industry.