Korean Car Prices Rise as Import Autos Get Cheaper

Korean cars are getting more expensive while their international rivals are becoming cheaper, a survey finds. Thus Hyundai Motor is selling its new Avante VGT S16 Luxury, which went on sale last month, for W1.13 million (US$1=W952) more than the old model. The Kia New Opirus 3.8 is W4.79 million more expensive than the old model, and Ssangyong’s New Chairman 2.8 costs W1.17 million more. Among import cars, the trend goes the other way. Volvo’s new S60 diesel engine model is W15.57 million cheaper than the gasoline engine model. The new Ford Mondeo is W5 million cheaper than the old one, and the Escape 2.3 XLT costs W4.5 million less than the previous version. Both were released this year.


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