Sales of imported cars slip 3.9 pct on-year in Nov.: data

SEOUL, Dec. 4 (Yonhap) -- Sales of imported cars in South Korea fell 3.9 percent from a year earlier in November, industry data showed Wednesday.

The number of newly registered imported cars came to 23,784 units last month, down from 24,740 units from a year ago, according to the Korea Automobile Importers & Distributors Association. On a monthly basis, the tally represents an 11.9 percent gain from October.

BMW was the most popular brand last month, selling 6,665 units, followed by Mercedes-Benz, which sold 5,086 units. BMW overtook Mercedes-Benz to take the lead for the first time in three months.

Tesla, Lexus and Volvo followed next, with 3,618 units, 1,370 units and 1,319 units, respectively.

In terms of fuel types, imported hybrid registrations jumped 20.3 percent on-year to 9,960 units, accounting for 50.6 percent of all import car sales. Electric, gasoline and plug-in hybrid model registrations followed with 22 percent, 20.3 percent and 5.2 percent, respectively.

odissy@yna.co.kr
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