Despite a slight decline this year, vehicle sales in the GCC will stabilise in 2017, before a cumulative growth phase from 2017-2020 puts the region back on track as the Middle East and North Africa’s largest automotive market.

According to analysts Frost & Sullivan, Saudi Arabia will hold the lion’s share of cars on GCC roads, with 10.03 million vehicles by 2020 – 52.5% of the entire regional market.

The UAE will have 3.53 million vehicles, an 18.5% share, while the rest of the region, which includes Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and Bahrain, will have 5.54 million vehicles – Kuwait being the largest followed by Oman and Qatar.

According to Frost & Sullivan, the average age of cars in the region will increase to eight years in 2020. By then, 0-3 year-old vehicles will contribute 27% of units in operation, while cars aged 10 years and older will dominate the market, holding a 31% share.

The revised forecast of vehicles in operation on GCC roads was released ahead of Automechanika Dubai 2016, which takes place from 8-10 May at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.

“The growth of car numbers on GCC roads combined with an ageing fleet will drive demand for automotive aftermarket spare parts and services,” said Ahmed Pauwels, CEO of Automechanika Dubai’s organiser, Messe Frankfurt Middle East.