SEOUL, KOREA - Diesel models played an important role in last year’s bullish sales of import cars. According to industry sources on December 31, 2013, the number of import car sales for the period from January to November 2013 totaled 144,092 units, up 19.9 percent from a year ago, exceeding last year’s total of 130,858 units.
Last year’s total is estimated to break the 150,000 mark, reaching 156,000-157,000 units. The robust growth was led mainly by the popularity of diesel models.
During the January-November period of this year, the sales of diesel models stood at 89,614 units, accounting for 62.2 percent in total sales of import cars. In other words, six out of ten import cars sold this year were diesel models.
Gasoline models accounted for 34.2 percent or 49,278 units, while hybrid models 3.61 percent or 5,200 units.
