Lexus Overtakes BMW as Korea's Bestselling Imported Car

Seoul January 2, 2006; Chosun.com reported that Japan’s Toyota Lexus has shunted Germany’s BMW from its position as Korea’s most popular imported car, which BMW had held for six years since 1999.

BMW Korea and Toyota Korea figures released Monday show that Lexus outsold BMW by a narrow margin of 5,832 cars to 5,781 between January and Dec. 30 last year. Until November, BMW was ahead 5,051 to 4,922, but the Japanese car overtook its German rival in a last-minute sprint.

A Toyota staffer said the reason for the apparent surge was that the firm in October and November took orders for the new Lexus IS250, which was out of stock, and delivered over 300 of the vehicles in December.