This photo shows Tesla’s Model Y displayed at a shopping mall in Seoul. (Yonhap)
SEOUL, Oct. 10 (Korea Bizwire) – Sales of imported vehicles in South Korea rose more than 30 percent in September from a year ago, driven by strong demand for Tesla and steady sales of hybrid and electric vehicles (EVs), industry data showed Friday.
According to the Korea Automobile Importers & Distributors Association (KAIDA), the number of newly registered imported cars totaled 32,834 units last month, up 32.2 percent from 24,839 units tallied a year ago.
KAIDA attributed the sales gain to the stable supply from some brands, new model launches and active marketing efforts.
By brand, Tesla topped the chart for the third consecutive month with 9,069 units sold, followed by Mercedes-Benz with 6,904 units, BMW 6,610 units, Audi 1,426 units, Lexus 1,417 units and Volvo 1,399 units.
Tesla’s Model Y was the best-selling model with 8,361 units, trailed by the Mercedes-Benz E-Class with 3,239 units, the BMW 5 Series 2,196 units and BYD’s Sealion 7 825.
By fuel type, hybrid vehicles accounted for 16,585 units, or 50.5 percent of the total, followed by EVs at 39.3 percent, gasoline models 9.5 percent and diesel models at 0.7 percent.
(Yonhap)