Skoda Auto Enters Saudi Arabia Market With Made In India Focus

Skoda Auto has announced its entry into the Saudi Arabian market, marking the company's latest expansion in the Middle East. The move follows openings in Oman and Qatar in the first half of 2025 and two showroom launches in the United Arab Emirates.

The company will operate through a partnership with SAMACO Motors, a member of the Al Nahla Group. Two showrooms, spanning 1,200 square meters, will open in Jeddah and Al Khobar by the end of 2025. A showroom in Riyadh will follow in 2026.

Martin Jahn, Board Member for Sales and Marketing at Skoda Auto, stated that the entry into Saudi Arabia marks a step in the company's plan for expansion. "Annual car sales in Saudi Arabia are expected to reach one million vehicles by 2030," he said. The market currently has only 156 vehicles per 1,000 inhabitants, indicating room for expansion.

Skoda will introduce its model line-up to Saudi Arabia, which includes the Octavia, Superb, Karoq and Kodiaq, along with the Kushaq SUV and the Slavia saloon. The showrooms will feature a digital experience with video walls, touch tables and car information stands.

SAMACO Motors has represented Audi, Volkswagen and Porsche in Saudi Arabia for more than 15 years. The company has since expanded to include Bentley and Lamborghini.

Skoda's expansion holds significance for India. The company manufactures vehicles in India and exports them to over 26 countries. In 2024, 40 per cent of Skoda's locally manufactured vehicles were shipped internationally, marking a 20 per cent year-on-year increase from 2023.

Skoda Auto Volkswagen India has produced over 5 lakh vehicles since operations began in 2001. The company exports models such as the Kushaq and Slavia to markets across North America, Africa, the ASEAN region and the Arab Gulf Cooperation Council.

Martin Jahn has previously stated that Saudi Arabia and Oman are being explored as regions where India could serve as an export hub. "We are looking at exporting cars from India to these countries," he said.

Skoda has already despatched CKD (completely knocked down) kits of the Kushaq and Slavia to Vietnam for local assembly. The company inaugurated a manufacturing facility in Vietnam in March 2025 in partnership with the Thanh Cong Group.