Chinese EVs Taking Over Saudi Arabia – BYD, MG & Zeekr Explained

Saudi Arabia: In recent years, there have been two clear trends emerging from the automotive sector of Saudi Arabia. The first is a rapid shift towards electric vehicles (EV). Like the rest of the world, the government wants the country to move towards alternative transportation. The second is an equally important one is the arrival of Chinese brands and their strong presence in the EV segment. 

China is the world’s largest EV market, largely dominated by local brands, and after years of strong performance in the home market, these brands are expanding globally. They offer highly affordable and the most advanced EVs, which are now finding a lot of takers in KSA. There are several Chinese EV brands selling cars, and we take a detailed look at BYD, MG and Zeekr to tell you everything you need to know.

The shift is visible

Not long ago, Chinese electric vehicles in Saudi Arabia were a curiosity, but not anymore.  Today, they're a common sight across the country, and finding a BYD or MG EV as routinely as a Tesla at a charging station doesn’t really attract any curiosity. They are a new norm for average car users. And this certainly is a huge transformation for KSA. And this  isn’t just a trend considered as a fancy, rather it is what the future is heading towards. People are buying Chinese EVs not due to emotional reasons, but they are practical, and importantly, they are engineered and priced exactly the way the buyers want them to.

BYD: From battery to cars

As the famous history goes, BYD (Build Your Dream) originally started in 1995 as a battery manufacturer. For decades, that was the company’s core competence. Then, the battery expertise helped make a shift into making a full electric car, and that's how a modern automaker was born.

Today, BYD is the world's largest EV manufacturer by volume, not Tesla anymore, as many of you might think. BYD took that crown from Tesla, and there is no other global brand even close to beating it, neither from Europe nor Asia.

What they offer in Saudi Arabia:

Looking for overseas expansion, BYD entered KSA for a while ago and now offers a range of EVs. 

Model	Starting Price (SAR)	Battery Range (km)	Key Features	Notes
Atto 3	3,55,750	305 - 430	10.25" touchscreen, auto climate control, adaptive cruise, airbags, stability control	Practical EV, real-world range close to stated, entry-level electric option
HAN EV	5,24,625	301 - 510	Sedan practicality, smooth design, intelligent proportions	Chinese harmony design philosophy, premium sedan EV
Sealion 7	6,36,875	350	Spacious family-oriented SUV, leather seats available, contemporary design	Family friendly SUV with balanced comfort and range
Song Pro (Hybrid)	562,500 - 712,500	Up to 1,000 (combined)	Hybrid tech bridging petrol and electric, extended range	Ideal for buyers not yet ready for full electric cars

 

BYD Advantage: It has to be the innovative Blade Battery technology. This proprietary battery pack focuses on safety and longevity, and in the Saudi context, the battery survives heat better than competitors, something necessary for our intense weather conditions, where temperatures regularly exceed 50 degrees Celsius. So real durability means fewer degradation issues over time.

Why choose BYD: The top reason buyers consider BYD is due to reliability, battery expertise and reasonable pricing. The company doesn't promise magic; rather, it offers practical transportation with proven longevity.

Real limitation: The Service network is still developing. BYD has dealers, but fewer than Tesla. Parts availability is improving, and technician training is professional but newer. This isn't a dealbreaker but just a reality and likely to get better with time. 

Zeekr: Premium EVs

Zeekr is a premium EV brand that belongs to major Chinese automaker Geely, which also owns Volvo, Polestar and Lotus brands. So Zeekr has a parent company engineering heritage, and not a startup playing with EVs.

The design direction comes from Sweden, and the car looks quite attractive, modern and highly equipped for today’s discerning buyers.

What's available in Saudi Arabia:

Zeekr 001 and Zeekr 7X EV models available in Saudi Arabia in 2025:

Model	Range (km)	Power (hp)	Key Features	Notes
Zeekr 001	620 - 705	544 hp	OLED screens, panoramic sunroof, premium leather, Harman Kardon audio, LiDAR, 360 cameras, advanced driver assistance	Shooting brake body style, blend of performance and luxury, driver-focused steering feel
Zeekr 7X RWD	440 - 530	Up to 646	17-inch touchscreen, minimalist interior, LED headlights, AWD option, ultra-fast 80% charge in 20 minutes	Clean Scandinavian-inspired design, offers RWD standard, Long Range, and AWD Performance trims

Why buyers choose Zeekr: First and foremost, what makes an impression is the exceptional design quality. There is clearly a Swedish influence visible in every detail. Then comes the performance credentials, LiDAR-based semi-autonomous driving on Zeekr 001. The brand doesn't feel like a Chinese startup at all; it comes across as an established premium engineering brand.

Advantage: Geely has established a global distribution network. European expansion in 2024, plans for North America in 2026. This matters for Saudi buyers as resale value and brand confidence are long-term.

Limitation: A wewer brand means uncertainty, and the service network is developing rapidly, but it doesn't match established competitors yet.

MG: Affordable gateway

BYD and Zeekr are slightly premium brands, but for buyers in the mid to affordable EV options comes the MG, which is a consumer-facing brand of Chinese auto giant SAIC, which is owned by the Chinese government. That history means resources and engineering, well-established and greater experience acquired over the years.

MG EV models available in Saudi Arabia in 2025, based on latest specifications:

Model	Range (km)	Power (hp)	Key Features	Notes
MG 4	Approx. 310	Up to 242	Compact hatchback, 10.25" touchscreen, fast charging (80% in 35 mins), spacious interior	Entry-level EV, ideal for city and first-time EV buyers
MG ZS EV	Approx. 400-428	148	Compact SUV, panoramic sky roof, 12.3" touchscreen, ADAS Level 2, wireless phone charging, leather seats available	Popular compact electric SUV with strong local support
MG 5 EV	Approx. 305	Not specified	Electric sedan, clean interior, practical packaging, 2 or 5 seat configurations	Competitor to BYD Atto 3 in sedan form, reliable EV option

Why MG: in the midst of pricey EVs, MG promises affordability with a proven platform and also expanding service network. MG has established a dealer presence across Saudi Arabia, and technician training is improving faster than other brands, with parts availability is good. This is boosting the brand's popularity among buyers. 

Advantage: MG offers greater warranty programs, like six-year coverage on some models. The battery coverage is typically 8 years, which helps buyers with confidence in the car's ability to perform and also assures a hassle-free, peaceful ownership experience. 

Limitation: Entry-level models feel like what they cost, and not really luxurious. So they aren’t packed with premium materials or features. Just solid, practical electric vehicles. That's actually the appeal for budget buyers.

The Electric Reality in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia is the largest auto market in the Middle East, and has been growing rapidly due to rising prosperity, affordability and growing wealth. This also means the government is focusing on adopting newer technologies in the industry, and there are investments to help people make a shift towards greener vehicles. This also makes KSA an attractive EV market for brands, and rising volume points exactly towards the promising future. 

To support the growth of EVs, there is a solid charging infrastructure in the country, which is also growing fast. ARAMCO operates 200+ charging stations across major cities. Riyadh, being the capital and with high sales of EVs, has the biggest and most extensive network. Other regions are catching up, and the infrastructure concern of two years ago has been resolved.

Battery degradation in heat is real but manageable in Saudi Arabia. The modern batteries hold 80-85% capacity after five years in Saudi conditions, which is just fine with most of the EV buyers. The resale market is shaping up rather well, and used Chinese EVs now trade at reasonable values. The early adopters worried about resale value a few years ago, but those concerns are easing as market demand stabilises.

Importantly, the running costs and overall ownership experience are evolving as there is a clear benefit to using an EV over a conventional car. The costs are dramatically lower than petrol, as electricity costs nearly one-third of fuel. The maintenance is minimal, brake wear is reduced thanks to regenerative braking, and the battery warranty covers degradation.

Conclusion

Looking at the early growth and progress of the EV market in Saudi Arabia, it is clear that Chinese EVs are getting faster customer approval. With their volumes increasing, it is not long before they truly make a huge mark in KSA. But objectively, Chinese EVs aren't taking over the market just because they are cheap, far from it. They are good cars, designed and developed keeping in mind the operational challenges as well as customers' needs. Chinese EVs are technologically advanced, and simply put, they work. They're priced suitably, and deliver what's promised. Tesla remains the aspirational choice, but not for practical Saudi buyers. The Chinese brands are the obvious choice. They're not experiments, rather proven cars.