The sales of automobiles in South Korea are expected to rise 2.3 percent next year, aided by steady rise in demand for imported cars, data showed on Sunday.

Sales of autos in the country are estimated at 1.65 million units next year, compared with this year’s projected 1.61 million units, according to the Korea Automobile Manufacturers Association.

The data showed sales of locally-produced autos would remain little changed at 1.4 million units next year compared to this year, while some 250,000 imported cars would be sold, sharply up 19 percent from this year’s estimated 210,000 units.

Exports are expected to edge up 1.6 percent next year to reach 3.1 million on the back of steady demand from major economies and reduced tariffs on South Korean autos following free trade agreements, according to the data.

Auto output in the country is expected to rise 1.1 percent this year to reach 4.5 million units, and overseas production will rise by a wider margin of 4.5 percent to 4.6 million next year, the data showed. (Yonhap)