The number of registered cars increased 3.0 percent on year to pass the milestone of 23 million units in 2018 in Korea with 52 million population due to jump in imported names and green vehicles.

According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport on Wednesday, a total of 23,202,555 cars were registered in Korea as of the end of last year, up 3 percent, or 674,000 units, from the previous year.

Of total vehicles, domestic brand cars took up the lion’s share of 90.6 percent with 21,030,000 units, and foreign remaining 9.4 percent, or 2,170,000 units. Import vehicles have steadily expanded its share in Korea from 1 percent in 2004 to 2.1 percent in 2008, 4 percent in 2012, 6.6 percent in 2015 and 8.4 percent in 2017.

Gasoline-powered cars totaled 10,630,000 units with a 45.8 percent share down from 49.2 percent six years ago. LPG-powered vehicles also saw its share fall from 12.8 percent to 8.8 percent, while diesel-fueled models added to 42.8 percent from 37.1 percent.

Green cars made up 2 percent at a tally of 461,733 including 55,756 electric vehicles and 893 hydrogen-fueled cars.

Meanwhile, the number of newly registered vehicles from January to December last year fell to 1,843,000 units, down 2,744 units on year, data showed. Domestic brands saw a 2 percent drop in sales after delivering 1,538,000 units, while foreign brands reported a 10.8 percent jump in sales with 298,000 units.

By Choi Hee-seok and Lee Ha-yeon

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