South Korea's Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group emerged as the biggest exporter of automobiles to Germany last year, industry data showed Sunday.

   Hyundai Motor Co. and its affiliate Kia Motors Corp. have sold 155,673 units in the biggest European market in 2012, according to data by the International Association of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers (VDIK).

   Renault SA came second with 150,740 units and Skoda third with 142,611 units last year.

   Hyundai-Kia was third with 128,931 units in 2011, when Renault was first with 160,366 and Skoda second with 142,611 units. 

   The South Korean automakers recorded a whopping 20.7 percent increase in sales last year from a year earlier to become the seventh biggest seller in Germany after six German manufacturers, including BMW, Mercedes Benz, Audi and Volkswagen. The German auto industry underwent a 2.9 percent setback last year.

   Hyundai and Kia attribute the sales rise to the release of a new i30 compact car, manufactured in Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Czech in Nosovice, the Czech Republic, and Kia's small family car Cee'd.  (Yonhap News)