S Korean imported car sales falls sharply in Jan.

Special Report:Global Financial Crisis

SEOUL, Feb. 9 (Chinese media) -- Imported car sales fell sharply in January this

year by 29.1 percent from the same period a year ago amid economic slump, the

Korea Automobile Importers and Distributors Association said on Monday.

According to the association, 3,760 new imported cars were registered last

month, about 1,500 units, or 29.1 percent lower than the 5,304 units sold during

the same month last year.

In December last year, a total of 4,046 imported cars were sold in South

Korea.

The largest decline was recorded by Saab, whose sales dropped by a massive

78 percent from a year earlier to come at 13 units. Saab was followed by

Peugeot, which saw sales drop 60 units from the 216 units recorded in January

2008, the Korea Herald reported.

Honda, which holds the largest share of the imported car market, saw its

sales decline by 26.1 percent in January from a year ago. Meanwhile, the sales

of BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Lexus dropped 30.4 percent, 42.1 percent and 29.9

percent, respectively, over the same period, the Korea Herald said.