January sales of imported cars in South Korea soared 75% year on year to 3,448 vehicles, according to the Korea Automobile Importers & Distributors Assocation (KAIDA), as reported by the Korea Herald. This was equivalent to 4.8% of the market.
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Imports in 2005 reached 30,901 units, for a 3% market share. BMW topped the charts with 610 units sold, followed by compatriots Audi and Mercedes-Benz, and Lexus.
BMW sold 5,786 cars in Korea in 2005, but lost the top import car brand crown to Lexus, which sold 54 more vehicles, the newspaper noted.
South Korea is attracting increased interest from foreign automakers. Ten new import models are being launched during February, the Korea Herald said.
These include the Lincoln LS V8, Ford Freestyle, Saab 9-3 Sport Combi (wagon), updated Saab 9-5, Cadillac DTS, Mercedes M-Class, Chrysler 300C and the Volkswagen Golf GTI.
