Sales of imported vehicles in South Korea rose by almost 20% to 20,381 units in September, from 17,027 units a year earlier, according to data released by the Korea Automobile Importers and Distributors Association.

September import sales also were up by 12% compared with the previous month, despite the negative publicity resulting from Volkswagen’s growing diesel emissions scandal and its potential effect on German brands in this market. 

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Daimler's Mercedes-Benz was the best-selling foreign brand last  month with 4,329 sales, followed by BMW with 3,506 units and Volkswagen's Audi with 3,401 units.

Volkswagen’s September sales amounted to 2,901 units – down almost 8% compared with the previous month, however.

In the first nine months of the year, sales of imported vehicles increased by almost 23% to 179,120 units, from 145,844 units previously.

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