Sales of imported vehicles in South Korea rebounded in October following months of decline in after the Volkswagen emissions scandal came to light more than a year ago.
The South Korean authorities have withdrawn the homologation certificates of 80 Volkswagen and Audi models after they found that emissions tests had been faked.
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According to the Korea Automobile Importers and Distribution Association, import sales jumped by 18.3% to 20,612 units in October compared with weak year earlier sales of 17,423 units. It attributed the recovery to strong promotional activity and new models released by key import brands.
In the first 10 months of the year, import sales were down by 5.5% at 185,801 units, compared with 196,543 units in the same period of last year.
Mercedes-Benz' sales in hit a new monthly record of 6,400 units in October thanks to strong demand for the new E-class while BMW reported 5,415 sales, Lexus 1,134 units and Honda 917 units.
Audi, on the other hand, saw its sales continue to plummet last month – by almost 81% to 475 units from already weak year earlier sales of 2,482 units while Volkswagen sold just 30 units – down from an also depressed 947 units a year earlier.
