South Korean vehicle sales hit a record high in 2006 as strong exports offset a weaker domestic market.


The five local automakers sold 5.81m units, up 11.5% year on year, and their total domestic sales rose 1.9% to 1.15m, while exports climbed 14.2% to 4.66m, Agence France Presse (AFP) reported.


Hyundai Motor reportedly said it sold 2.66m vehicles, up 5.1%, while sales at its affiliate Kia Motors rose 6.4% to 1.35m and GM Daewoo Auto and Technology sold 1.53m vehicles in 2006, a record high, replacing KIA as the country’s second largest automaker in sales terms.


GM Daewoo said domestic sales rose 19.2% to 128,332 units and exports jumped 33.1% to 1,397,487, according to AFP.