Import car sales in South Korea in June jumped more than 20 percent from the previous month on strong demand for new cars, with German automaker Mercedes-Benz reclaiming No.1 foreign car brand by sales two months after it lost the title to its rival Bayerische Motoren Werke AG (BMW).

According to Korea Automobile Importers and Distributors Association (KAIDA) on Thursday, a total of 23,775 foreign cars were sold in Korea in June, up 22.6 percent from May. Yoon Dae-sung, vice chairman of KAIDA, attributed the significant on-month increase in foreign car sales to an overall supply ease of some brands and the launch of new models.

By brand, Mercedes-Benz sold 7,783 vehicles in the month, 2,200 units more than what BMW sold (5,510 units). Mercedes-Benz had been the best-selling import car brand in Korea until April when its German peer BMW dethroned it for the first time this year. Backed by the launch of its all-new 5 Series sedan, BMW had enjoyed No.1 ranking in the Korean import car market until May.

Honda came at third place after selling 1,750 units, followed by Lexus (1,272 units), Ford (1,173 units), Land Rover (962 units), Toyota (892 units), Mini (841 units), Volvo (693 units), and Chrysler (648 units).

The best-selling model in June was Mercedes-Benz’s E300 4MATIC of which 1,280 units were delivered to Korea, followed by its E220 d 4MATIC with 737 units.

By engine, import cars with less 2,000 cubic centimeter displacement accounted for the largest 57.7 percent of total sales in June, followed by those in between 2,000cc and 3,000cc with 34.8 percent and those in between 3,000cc and 4,000cc with 5.2 percent.

By fuel type, diesel and gasoline-powered vehicles were highly sought by Korean consumers with each taking up 46.2 percent and 43.7 percent of total sales in June. Hybrid vehicles also accounted for 10.1 percent of the market, the first time it exceeded the 10 percent threshold. Electric vehicles, meanwhile, were sold only three units.

In the first six months of this year, total import car sales climbed 1.2 percent from a year ago to 118,152 units. By brand, Mercedes-Benz commanded the largest 31.93 percent of the market, followed by BMW with 24.54 percent, and Honda with 4.56 percent.

By Park Chang-young

[ⓒ Pulse by Maeil Business News Korea & mk.co.kr, All rights reserved]