The average price of South Korean automobiles shipped overseas hit a new record high in the first half of 2024, data showed Sunday, following the growing demand for premium models. According to data compiled by the Korea Automobile and Mobility Association, the average price of car exports reached US$25,224 over the January-June period, up 0.5 percent from $25,079 recorded a year earlier. The increase came amid growing demand for eco-friendly models, as well as SUVs and commercial cars, which typically come with higher price tags. The combined value of automobile exports, meanwhile, reached $37 billion in the first half of this year, up 3.9 percent over the period. South Korea's exports of hybrid cars rose 19.5 percent on-year in the first half, with those of commercial vehicles also increasing by 6 percent, according to separate data compiled by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. "Exports of commercial vehicles are showing signs of recovery from the slump caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, whi ch had affected public transportation usage, as well as from the rise of Chinese competitors with higher price competitiveness," an industry watcher said. Source: Yonhap News Agency