The cumulative sales in the first quarter of 2014 have made a new record of 44,434. (image: Kobizmedia)
SEOUL, Korea, April 7 (Korea Bizwire) – Imported wheels are selling like hot cakes in Korea. Last month, the monthly sales of foreign cars have exceeded 15,000 breaking the record of 14,953 in July 2013.
According to the Korea Automobile Importers and Distributors Association, 15,733 foreign cars were registered in March which has increased 30.4 percent over the previous month of 12,063. The cumulative sales in the first quarter of 2014 have also made a new record of 44,434.
In March, cars from Ford (ranked 5th, 2,255), Toyota (7th, 593), Land Rover (11th, 322) were sold about 40 percent more than in February. BMW came on top with sales of 3,511, and next came Mercedes-Benz (2,532), Audi (2,457) and Volkswagen (2,255).
The sales of cars with engine displacements of 2.0 to 3.0 liters and greater have risen. The number of 2.0- to 3.0-literdisplacement cars registered has increased year on year 35.6 percent to 5,332 in March. The number of cars with displacements of 4.0 liters or greater registered has increased whooping 44.7 percent. Luxury or larger-sized cars have become more popular due to introduction of high-efficiency models and the lowered price range thanks to the competition among car makers.
Many of the newly sold cars have been diesels and hybrids. Diesel sales have increased 45.3 percent over the previous year and so have hybrid sales by 45.5 percent. The sales of gasoline-engine vehicles have not been doing well, only having increased 2.4 percent.
Diesel models have ruled the top-ten best-seller list as well. The list included one hybrid car, with no gasoline car. The top-ten models are as follows: BMW 520d (727), Volkswagen Tiguan 2.0 TDI Bluemotion (643), Mercedes-Benz E220 CDI (580), Audi A6 3.0 TDI Quattro (481), BMW 320d (437), Audi A6 2.0 TDI (426), Lexus ES300h (422), Volkswagen Golf 2.0 TDI (359), Ford Explorer (299) and BMW 520d xDrive (268).
Written by Robin Koo (linguistkoo@koreabizwire.com)
Automotive (Follow us @Autonews_Korea)
