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The Lincoln MKC, a compact SUV model by Ford.
The Lincoln MKC, a compact SUV model by Ford.

 

U.S. carmakers are showing signs of recovery in the Korean market by improving their design and fuel economy.

According to the Korea Automobile Importers & Distributors Association (KAIDA), a total of 128,817 imported cars were sold in Korea during the first eight months of this year to record a 24.6 percent growth from a year earlier. The sales growth rate amounted to 31.9 percent for German brands and 21.7 percent for U.S. manufacturers, which sold 9,085 vehicles during the period. Japanese carmakers’ sales volume reached 15,044 units. In 2013, U.S. makers’ volume had been less than half of that of Japanese companies. 

The rapid growth is led by Ford. The company sold 3,178 cars between January and August 2012, but the number increased to 4,576 and 5,830 for the first eight months of 2013 and 2014, respectively. Chrysler also showed growth for all models except for the 300C 3.0 Diesel, and GM is increasing its presence by means of Cadillac models. Cadillac sold 241 cars during the period to record a 10 percent year-on-year growth in the luxury car segment dominated by German automakers. 

The solid growth can be attributed to their increased fuel economy and decreased glitches, which used to eclipse their strengths such as vehicle body stiffness. They are now trying to refine their brand image as well to catch up with BMW, Mercedes Benz, and Audi.

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