Market watchers said that the recovery seems to have been helped by foreign brands’ stepped-up promotions, including deep discounts to lure customers who might have been disheartened by the brand-tarnishing scandal. (image: Kobizmedia/ Korea Bizwire)
SEOUL, April 24 (Korea Bizwire) – Diesel cars accounted for nearly 70 percent of total sales by foreign brands in South Korea during the first quarter despite the emissions scandal involving some of their popular models, industry data showed Sunday.
According to the data provided by the Korea Automobile Importers and Distributors Association, a total of 38,415 units of imported diesel cars were sold in South Korea during the first quarter.
The amount was down 6.4 percent compared with the same period a year earlier, but its proportion of the total foreign brand sales here stood at 68.6 percent, slightly down from 69.6 percent tallied a year earlier.
The ratio was higher than last summer when German carmaker Volkswagen was found to have fabricated the emissions results of some of its diesel vehicles, prompting massive recalls worldwide and investigations.
The ratio of diesel cars sold in South Korea also fell to as low as 63.5 percent of total foreign auto sales in October last year.
Market watchers said that the recovery seems to have been helped by foreign brands’ stepped-up promotions, including deep discounts to lure customers who might have been disheartened by the brand-tarnishing scandal.
(Yonhap)
