Jaguar Land Rover’s premium compact sedan XE surpassed the Audi A4 in sales in the first quarter of this year, industry data showed.

According to the Korea Automobile Importers and Distributors Association, the Jaguar XE was the third highest selling model in the segment of imported premium compact sedans, breaking into the top three position for the first time since its launch in Korea in September. 

XE’s sales figures came in at 534 units in the January-March period, compared to 420 of Audi A4. BMW topped the segment, followed by Mercedes-Benz. Audi came in fourth, the data showed.

Jaguar XE started off slow, with sales behind Audi A4 with a difference of 57 units in January. In March, however, the Korean unit of the British carmaker sold 242 vehicles, 115 more than Audi A4 models.

Jaguar Land Rover Korea said that customers have become more eager to drive something other than the German sedans in recent years, which may have affected sales. The premium compact sedan segment has long been dominated by three German brands -- BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Audi.

The company, when it launched XE in Korea last year, said that it was taking aim at the German carmakers, with Audi being the most immediate target.

In 2015, the model was named the “Most Beautiful Car of 2014” after its debut at the Paris Motor Show in October 2014.

In addition, European automakers dominated the imported car segment with 80.7 percent market share, followed by Japanese brands at 12.4 percent and U.S. companies at 6.9 percent in March, according to data.

By Hong Sung-pyo (hong1@heraldcorp.com)