Ssangyong Motor Staff Shocked by Massive Layoff Plan Ssangyong Bailout Hinges on Better Productivity Ssangyong Gets Reprieve Bankruptcy Looms for Ssangyong Subcontractors Hyundai-Kia Workers Seek Solidarity Overseas Hyundai-Kia Gains U.S. Market Share Despite Sales Drop Hyundai, Kia Post Impressive 2008 Sales Kia Motors' Cee'd Rated Top by French Magazine Hyundai Not Immune to Financial Crisis China Overtakes U.S. in Car Sales Koreans Turn Back on Imported Cars China's Carmakers Zooming Ahead Foreign Cars Top 6% Market Share for 1st Time Korean Auto Production Ranks 5th for 4th Year

In Canada, sales of Korean cars rose last month compared to the same period in 2008 despite the sluggish economy.

Sales of Korea's largest automaker Hyundai Motor went up by nearly 19 percent to over 4,600 vehicles. Kia Motor's sales rose by 1 percent in January to over 1,800.

But sales of other companies in Canada fell significantly. U.S.-based General Motors plunged by 47 percent, while Chrysler fell 34 percent and Ford 14 percent.

Japanese automakers also saw their sales dip. Toyota's sales fell by almost 3 percent and Honda’s 37 percent.

Arirang News