Car imports rise 26% in Korea

Sales of imported cars in South Korea rose 26% in June from the same month a year ago, the Korea Automobile Importers and Dealers Association said in a statement. Imported car sales totaled 5,580 units in June, although 7.9% lower than that in May. The statement also said that the sales of South Korea’s five major automakers, led by Hyundai Motor Co., was 7.2% lower than the same period last year in the domestic market. Japan’s Honda Motor has kept the top spot in South Korea’s imported auto market for six consecutive months, with total June sales at 1,364 units. In the first half of this year, sales of imported cars climbed 31.2% to 33,449 vehicles. (July 4, 2008)