Sales of luxury imported cars rose in South Korea over the past 10 months of this year, despite a prolonged economic downturn, according to industry data Sunday.

The data by the Korea Automobile Importers and Distributors Association showed that sales of luxury imported cars gained 3.2 percent on year to 136,523 vehicles for the January-October period.

For the 10-month period, sales of all imported cars fell 5.5 percent on year to 185,801 vehicles.

Premium marques, such as Jaguar Land Rover, Infinite and Lexus, have seen their sales jump more than 30 percent so far this year, according to the data.

Sales of Audi vehicles, however, plunged 38 percent on year as the Korean government ordered Volkswagen, which owns the luxury brand, to halt sales of most Volkswagen vehicles over its emissions scandal in August this year. (Yonhap)