S. Korea's auto exports to Eastern Europe plunge 25 pct last year

SEOUL, Feb. 8 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's auto exports to Eastern European
countries fell sharply last year due largely to an economic downturn there, an
industrial body said Monday.
The exports to the region by South Korean automakers plunged about 25 percent
from a year earlier to 98,424 units in 2009, the Korea Automobile Manufacturers
Association said.
The figure showed a close level to the 92,697 units recorded in 2004, when the
country's auto exports to the region including Russia picked up.
During the reported year, Hyundai Motor Co, the nation's top automaker saw its
sales in the region drop nearly 50 percent from a year earlier to 84,187 units
while those of its affiliate Kia Motors Corp. fell to 89,445 units from 92,804
units in 2008.
An industry source attributed the fall to decreased demand in the Eastern
European nations amid the global economic crisis.
jia@yna.co.kr
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