The winners and losers in Saudi Arabia’s move to drop its ban on women drivers
Riyadh — The ultraconservative kingdom of Saudi Arabia has issued an order allowing women to drive, ending a long-standing policy that has cast an unflattering light on the country’s treatment of women. It is also a royal opportunity for global car makers eager to make further inroads into the Middle East’s biggest economy. Saudi Arabia’s move to open up its car market to about half of its 32-million total population will have a profound impact on vehicle demand, driving habits and even immigration patterns in a country where low-wage immigrants from Bangladesh and the Philippines often work as hired drivers. Market leaders such as Toyota and Hyundai, whose hulking sport utility vehicles are a fixture on Saudi roadways, may need to boost inventory of smaller models such as compacts and sedans for single working women and female students, analysts say. On the flip side, app-driven, hired driver services like Uber Technologies could experience a drop in demand, as more women buy their...
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