Korean used cars enjoyed brisk sales in Middle Eastern countries and Russia, leading to a surge in their exports in the first nine months of the year, a trade association said Wednesday.
According to the Korea Used Car Export Association, a total of 245,000 used vehicles including cargo trucks were shipped abroad in the January-September period, nearing full-year exports of 248,000 units in 2011.
Libya, Russia and Jordan were the biggest buyers of South Korean used cars over the cited period, said SK Encar, the country's leading online used vehicle dealer. Hyundai Motor Co.'s Avante compact was the best-selling model in the three countries.
Hyundai's Sonata sedan and Verna subcompact were also popular in Libya, while Russian drivers liked Hyundai's Grand Starex van and GM Korea Co.'s Gentra subcompact. Hyundai's Verna and Accent subcompact were also hot-selling cars in Jordan.
Market insiders said South Korean cars' left-side steering wheel and lower prices than European and Japanese used cars fueled the robust sales in the Middle Eastern countries.
In addition, demand for cheaper used cars soared in Libya, which has been making efforts to rebuild the country after the civil war, they added.
"South Korean used cars are popular because of their higher quality and lower prices," said an official at the used car association. "We expect shipments of used cars to rise continuously."