According to UAE media reports, UAE car sales increased by 8% year-on-year in the first half of this year, but the increase was lower than in previous years.

In the first half of this year, the UAE sold a total of approximately 111,600 vehicles, compared with approximately 103,200 vehicles sold in the same period last year. Industry insiders predict that UAE car sales will continue to grow slowly for some time to come. However, the overall increase in 2010 will still be single digit.

According to the report, sales of luxury cars such as SUVs were 14,645, an increase of 2.2% year-on-year. Luxury cars account for 15% of the UAE’s entire automotive market, while SUVs account for approximately 47% of luxury car sales.

It is reported that the Gulf's total automobile sales volume reached about 597,000 vehicles in the first half of this year, an increase of 12% over the same period of last year. The sales of luxury cars reached 42,771 vehicles, an increase of 12.5% ​​over the same period of last year.

The UAE ranks first in the luxury car market in the Gulf with a share of 34%; followed by Saudi Arabia, accounting for 23%; Kuwait, 18%; and Oman, 12%.