Women at the wheel in Saudi Arabia
Kingdom's move is part of larger effort to modernise economy
The ultra-conservative Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has issued an order allowing women to drive, ending a long-standing policy that's cast an unflattering light on the country's treatment of women. It's also a royal opportunity for global carmakers 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 32million 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 SUVs are a fixture on Saudi roads, may need to boost inventory of smaller models such as compacts and sedans for single working women and women students, analysts say. On the flipside, app-driven, hired-driver services like Uber could experience a drop in demand as more women buy their own cars and get behind the wheel. Ban defied The move ...
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