Top 20 Car Brands in the Middle East

Looking for the top 20 car brands in the Middle East? This is a list of the 20 most popular car brands in the region.

The Middle East is home to Top Car brands. Factors such as hot climates, rugged terrains, and a growing demand for premium vehicles significantly shape consumer preferences.

As a result, car buyers in the region often favour brands known for reliability, off-road capabilities, and luxury offerings. These car brands range from sedans to pickups, SUVs, Luxury vehicles, and electric and commercial vehicles.

Read: Top Car Brands in Africa

Top 20 Car Brands in the Middle East

Below are the top 20 car brands operating across the Middle East.

Toyota

• Head Office: Dubai, United Arab Emirates 
• Notable Car Models:
  • Sedans: Camry, Corolla, Avalon & Yaris
  • SUVs & Crossovers: Land Cruiser 70, Land Cruiser Prado, FJ Cruiser, RAV 4, Highlander & 4Runner
  • Pickups: Hilux & Tundra
  • Luxury Vehicles (Lexus): RX, LX. ES, GX & NX
  • Hybrid & Eco-Friendly Models: Prius, Camry Hybrid, Corolla Hybrid
  • Sports & Performance Models: Supra
  • Other Models: Sienna, Hilux Revo, & Hiace
• Key Middle East Markets include Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, Lebanon, Jordan, and Iraq.
• Production Plants:
  • Toyota vehicles marketed in the Middle East are primarily produced in Toyota’s manufacturing plants located in Japan, the United States, and other countries.

Toyota Middle East, the regional division of Toyota Motor Corporation, is the top car brand in the Middle East. It distributes, sells, and markets Toyota vehicles across several Middle Eastern countries, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, Lebanon, Jordan, and Iraq. The company offers a variety of models across the region, focusing on Luxury, Pickup, Sedan, and SUV vehicles. In addition, it is highly regarded for its durable and versatile vehicles, as well as top-rated models such as the Land Cruiser, Hilux, and Prado, suited for the region’s challenging terrain and hot weather.

Nissan

• Head Office: Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA), Dubai, United Arab Emirates 
• Notable Car Models:
  • Sedans: Sunny, Altima, and Maxima
  • SUVs & Crossovers: Patrol, X-Trail, Pathfinder, Patrol Safari, & Kicks
  • Pickups & Commercial Vehicles: Navara & Urvan
  • Electric Vehicles: Leaf
• Key Middle East Markets: The United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar, and Lebanon.
• Production Plants:
  • Nissan Middle East relies on imports, as the company does not operate local manufacturing plants within the Middle East.
  • Vehicles are sourced from Nissan’s leading production plants in Japan and the United States and other plants in Asia.

Nissan Middle East, a subsidiary of Nissan Motor Company, serves as the regional office overseeing Nissan’s operations across the Middle East. It is located in Dubai’s Jebel Ali Free Zone, another top car brand operating in the Middle East. The regional hub manages sales, marketing, distribution, and customer support throughout critical markets, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Qatar. Nissan’s vehicle line-up includes sedans, SUVs, and commercial vehicles tailored to the diverse choices of Middle Eastern consumers.

Hyundai

• Head Office: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
• Notable Car Models:
  • Sedans: Accent, Elantra, Sonata, Azera
  • SUVs & Crossovers: Creta, Tucson, Santa Fe, Venue, Palisade
  • Luxury Vehicles: G70, G80, G90, GV70 & GV80
  • Commercial Vehicles: H-1, H100
  • Electric Vehicles: Kona Electric & Ioniq
• Key Middle East Markets include the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, Jordan, Lebanon, and Iraq.
• Production Plants:
  • Most of Hyundai’s Middle East vehicles are produced and exported from the Ulsan Plant in South Korea, one of the world’s largest automotive production sites.

Hyundai Middle East is the regional division of Hyundai Motor Company, supervising the brand’s operations across the region. Headquartered in Dubai, Hyundai Middle East is a hub for the company’s operations in the Middle East. Hyundai offers a broad range of vehicles tailored to the needs and preferences of Middle Eastern consumers. This includes Sedans, Commercial vehicles, and SUV options like Creta, Tucson, and Santa Fe.

BMW

• Head Office: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
• Notable Car Models:
  • Sedan: 1 Series, 2 Series, 3 Series, 4 Series, 5 Series, 7 Series, & i4
  • SUVs & Crossovers: X1, X2, X3, X4, X5, X6, X7
  • Electric & Hybrid Vehicles: i3, ix
  • Performance: M2, M3, M4, M5, Z4
• Key Middle East Markets include the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Egypt, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, Jordan, Lebanon, and Iraq.
• Production Plants: While there is no central manufacturing facility in the Middle East, BMW vehicles for the region are imported from plants in Germany, the United States, and other global manufacturing hubs.
  • Munich Plant, Germany: The main manufacturing facility for BMW vehicles.
  • Dingolfing Plant, Germany: One of the largest BMW manufacturing plants, producing the BMW 5 Series, 7 Series, 8 Series and various hybrid and electric models.

BMW Middle East is a subsidiary of the globally renowned German automaker BMW Group. As one of the top car brands in the Middle East, it oversees the sales, marketing, and distribution of BMW, MINI, and Rolls-Royce vehicles across the region. In addition, BMW’s brand includes BMW’s line-up of cars, including sedans, Luxury SUVs, EVs, and others. BMW’s regional operations include a strong presence in the Gulf states and Lebanon.

Lexus 

• Head Office: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
• Notable Car Models:
  • Sedans: ES, IS, LS, and RC
  • SUVs: UX, NX, RX, GX, and LX
  • Hybrid Models: the ES and RX Hybrid
  • Coupes: RC
• Key Middle East Markets include Egypt, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia.
• Production Plants:
  • Lexus Middle East does not have dedicated production plants in the region. Instead, vehicles are produced at the Tahara, Toyota City, and Kyushu Plant in the Aichi Prefecture, Japan. Other countries include Canada and the United States.

Lexus Middle East is the regional division of Lexus, Toyota’s luxury vehicle arm. It manages the distribution, sales, and aftersales services across the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, Levant regions, and parts of North Africa. As a top car brand, Lexus focuses on offering a comprehensive line-up that includes sedans, SUVs, hybrids, and high-performance models.

Ford

• Head Office: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
• Notable Car Models:
  • Sedans: Mustang, Fusion
  • SUVs & Crossovers: Explorer, Edge, Expedition, Ecosport, Everest
  • Pickup Trucks: F-150, Ranger, F-250 & F-350
  • Luxury Vehicles: Corsair, Navigator, Aviator
  • Hybrid & Electric Vehicles: F-150 Lightning & Mustang Mach-E
• Key Middle East Markets: the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, & Qatar
• Production Plants: The bulk of Ford’s vehicles sold in the Middle East are imported from its manufacturing plants located in other parts of the world, including:
  • North America (USA and Canada): the F-150 and Super Duty.
  • South America: the Ford EcoSport and Ford Ranger.
  • Europe: Ford Focus, Ford Kuga, and Ford Mondeo.

Ford Middle East is the regional division of Ford Motor Company, managing the automaker’s operations, sales, and distribution across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. The regional headquarters is located in Dubai, UAE, and is strategically placed to manage operations across the Gulf Cooperation Council and MENA region. It also includes various models such as the Ford F-150, Ford Explorer, Ford Mustang, and Lincoln luxury vehicles. The brand’s vehicles are designed to cater to the region’s preference for large SUVs and trucks, while also appealing to the growing interest in electric cars.

Chevrolet

• Head Office: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
• Notable Car Models:
  • SUVs and Crossovers: Tahoe, Suburban, Traverse, Blazer & Trailblazer
  • Trucks: Silverado & Colorado
  • Sedans: Malibu & Impala
  • Electric & Hybrid Options: Bolt EV
  • Performance Models: Camaro & Corvette
• Key Middle East Markets: Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman.
• Production Plants: Chevrolet Middle East does not operate regional production plants. Instead, it primarily manufactures cars in General Motors’ production facilities across North America, South America, and Asia and imports them into Middle Eastern markets.
  • The United States: Michigan, Texas, and Missouri Plants make the Chevrolet Silverado.
  • Canada: Oshawa, Ontario, plants produce vehicles like the Silverado and Equinox.

In Dubai, UAE, Chevrolet Middle East operates in key markets such as Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman. Also, Chevrolet Middle East manages the distribution, sales, and aftersales services across the Gulf Cooperation Council countries. As one of the top car brands in the Middle East, its vehicle line-up includes popular SUVs like the Tahoe and Suburban. In addition, there are also rugged trucks like the Silverado, stylish sedans like the Malibu, and compact crossovers like the Trailblazer.

Mitsubishi

• Head Office: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
• Notable Car Models:
  • SUVs and Crossovers: Pajero, Montero Sport, Outlander, Eclipse Cross, & ASX
  • Pickup Trucks: L200 (Triton)
  • Sedans: Attrage & Mirage
  • Eco-Friendly Models: Outlander PHEV
• Key Middle East Markets: the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain, and Qatar.
• Production Plants:
  • Mitsubishi Motors does not have production plants directly within the Middle East.
  • Instead, the company depends on imports to supply the region’s markets.
  • Vehicles are manufactured in Japan in Mitsubishi’s primary production facilities, such as those in Okazaki, Aichi Prefecture, and Mizushima, Okayama Prefecture, and then exported to Middle Eastern countries.

Mitsubishi Motors is one of the top car brands in the Middle East. Given the region’s heat conditions and topography, Mitsubishi vehicles like the Pajero, Montero Sport, and L200 pickup trucks are widely preferred for their off-road capabilities and reliability. Also, Mitsubishi’s range includes efficient sedans like the Attrage and Mirage and eco-friendly options like the Outlander PHEV.

Kia

• Head Office: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
• Notable Car Models:
  • Compact Cars & Sedans: Picanto, Rio, Cerato, & K5
  • SUVs and Crossovers: Seltos, Sportage, Sorento & Telluride
  • Electric and Hybrid Models: EV6 & Niro
  • Commercial Vehicles: KIA K4000G
• Key Middle East Markets include the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, Jordan, Lebanon, and Iraq.
• Production Plants: KIA does not operate its own dedicated production plants in the Middle East. However, it produces cars in South Korea and other international KIA production facilities, then imports into the Middle Eastern market. KIA’s main production hubs are located in:
  • South Korea – KIA’s primary production facilities are in South Korea, which produces most of its global models.
  • Other Global Sites – KIA also manufactures models in countries like the United States, Slovakia, and India to serve regional demands.

KIA Middle East is a regional division of KIA Motors Corporation. As a top car brand, its main focus is sales, marketing, and distribution of KIA vehicles across the Middle East. The brand offers a range of vehicles tailored to the Middle Eastern market, including SUVs, sedans, and electric cars, with popular models like the KIA Sportage, Sorento, and K5.

GMC

• Head Office: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
• Notable Car Models:
  • Trucks: Sierra, Sierra HD
  • SUVs: Yukon, Yukon XL, Terrain, & Acadia
  • Premium Trims: Denali & AT4
• Key Middle East Markets: Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, and Oman.
• Production Plants: GMC operates no production plants in the Middle East. Instead, GMC vehicles sold in the region are primarily produced in the United States and occasionally in other North American facilities. These vehicles are then imported into the Middle Eastern market and distributed through GMC’s network of dealers.
  • Flint, Michigan, the United States: A critical facility for the GMC Sierra and other truck models like the GMC Sierra

GMC Middle East is the regional division of GMC, a subsidiary of General Motors. The subsidiary focuses on the sales and distribution of GMC vehicles across Middle Eastern countries. GMC is popular in the Middle East for its durable premium trucks and SUVs that can handle the region’s challenging climates and terrains. This top car brand has built great models like the Sierra pickup and Yukon SUV, which are famous for urban and off-road use. With specialized trims like the luxurious Denali and off-road-ready AT4, GMC meets the Middle Eastern market’s demand for versatility, reliability, and premium features.

Land Rover

• Head Office: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
• Notable Car Models: Land Rover Defender, Range Rover, Range Rover Sport, Range Rover Velar, Range Rover Evoque, Discovery, & Discovery Sport 
• Key Middle East Markets: the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, and Lebanon.
• Production Plants:
  • Land Rover does not operate dedicated production plants within the Middle East. Instead, vehicles sold in the Middle East are made at Jaguar Land Rover’s (JLR) production facilities in the UK.
  • Its main production sites include the Solihull plant in England, which produces iconic models such as the Range Rover, Range Rover Sport, and Defender.

Land Rover Middle East is a regional division of the British luxury SUV brand Land Rover. It serves the Middle Eastern market with versatile SUVs on urban roads and challenging desert terrains. The line-up includes the iconic Range Rover, Range Rover Sport, Land Rover Defender, Discovery, and Discovery Sport.

Mazda

• Head Office: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
• Notable Car Models:
  • Sedans and Hatchbacks: Mazda2 & Mazda3, & Mazda6
  • SUVs and Crossovers: CX-5 CX-30 CX-60, and CX-90
  • Electric Vehicles: MX-30
  • Sport Cars: MX-5 Miata
• Key Middle East Markets: the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, and Kuwait.
• Production Plants: Mazda does not have manufacturing plants in the Middle East. Instead, Mazda vehicles sold in the region are made at production plants in Japan and other global locations. For example:
  • Japan: Most Mazda vehicles are produced in Japan, where the company has several plants, including the Hofu and Hiroshima Plants​.
  • Other Regions: Mazda has production plants in Thailand and Mexico, which supply vehicles to global markets, including the Middle East.

Mazda’s operations in the Middle East are managed through regional offices based in the UAE, with the company offering its vehicles across the Gulf Cooperation Council & MENA region. Its portfolio features many models, such as the Mazda3, Mazda6, Mazda CX-5, and Mazda CX-90, designed to meet the region’s demand for stylish, fuel-efficient vehicles. The company does not have manufacturing plants in the region; instead, it imports vehicles primarily from its production facilities in Japan and other locations like Thailand and Mexico.​

Honda

• Head Office: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
• Notable Car Models:
  • Sedans and Hatchbacks: Accord & Civic
  • SUVs & Crossovers: HR-V, CR-V, Passport, & Pilot
  • Electric Vehicles: CR-V Hybrid & Clarity Plug-In Hybrid
  • Trucks: Ridgeline
• Key Middle East Markets: GCC States, Iraq, Syria, Jordan, Egypt, and Morocco.
• Production Plants: Honda Middle East has no dedicated regional production plants. Instead, vehicles sold in the Middle East are primarily manufactured in Honda’s global production facilities, with most models being sourced from plants in Japan, Thailand, and India.

Honda Middle East is a regional division of Honda Motor Company. It oversees the sales, marketing, and distribution of Honda vehicles across the Middle East. Based in Dubai, UAE, it serves as the hub for Honda’s operations in the region, catering to a diverse customer base spanning the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) countries, the Levant, and parts of North Africa. As one of the top car brands in the Middle East, Honda offers a comprehensive line-up of vehicles, including compact sedans like the Civic, and family-friendly SUVs like the CR-V and Pilot.

Volkswagen

• Head Office: Dubai, United Arab Emirates 
• Notable Car Models:
  • Cars: Golf, Polo, Jetta, Passat, Jetta, and Arteon
  • SUVs: Tiguan, Touaeg, Atlas, and Taos
  • Electric Vehicles: ID.4 and ID.3
  • Performance Models: Golf R and GTI
• Key Middle East Markets: GCC countries (UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman) and other Middle Eastern markets, including Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, and Morocco.
• Production Plants: Volkswagen Middle East has no production plants in the region. Instead, the company depends on its global manufacturing facilities in Germany, Mexico, and China to supply vehicles to the Middle Eastern market.
  • Germany: Manufactures majority of Volkswagen’s models, including the Golf, Passat, Arteon, and Touareg.
  • Mexico: Produces models like the Jetta and Tiguan.
  • China: Produces the Golf and Tiguan models for the global market.

Volkswagen Middle East is a crucial subsidiary of Volkswagen AG, managing the brand’s activities across the region. Based in Dubai, UAE, Volkswagen Middle East oversees the distribution, sales, and after-sales services for Volkswagen vehicles in countries across the GCC, Levant, and North Africa. In addition, Volkswagen offers a diverse range of vehicles in the region, including compact cars like the Volkswagen Golf, family-oriented sedans like the Passat, and popular SUVs like the Tiguan and Touareg.

Audi

• Head Office: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
• Notable Car Models:
  • Sedan: A1, A3, A4, A5, A6, A7
  • SUVs: Q2, Q3, Q5, Q7, Q8
  • Coupes: T Coupe and Roadster, R8, A5 Coupe and Cabriolet
  • Electric Vehicles: Q4 e-tron, Q8 e-tron, e-tron, RS e-Tron GT
  • Performance Models: RS3, RS4 Avant, RS6 Avant, RS Q3, RS Q8, etc
  • Plug In Hybrid: A4 Avant & RS Avant, and A6 Avant
• Key Middle East Markets: UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Kuwait.
• Production Plants: Audi Middle East has no production plants in the region. Instead, the company depends on its global manufacturing facilities in Germany.
  • Ingolstadt Plant, Germany: Audi’s head office and main manufacturing facility. It produces various models, including the Audi A3