Seoul: South Korea's auto exports fell 20.8 percent from a year earlier in February due to a decline in the number of working days for the month, government data showed Wednesday. The combined value of automobile exports came to US$4.8 billion last month.

According to Yonhap News Agency, February's performance was due to a drop in the number of working days for the month amid the Lunar New Year holiday, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources said. The value of hybrid cars shipped overseas surged 23.5 percent to $1.21 billion, while the combined exports of electric vehicles (EV) and hydrogen-powered cars fell 8.2 percent to $670 million.

The ministry noted that the combined exports of eco-friendly vehicles, including EVs, hydrogen-fueled cars, and hybrid vehicles, for the first two months of the year was the highest on record at $4.5 billion. By destination, exports to the United States fell 29.4 percent on-year, and shipments to the European Union retreated 20 percent.

In contrast, shipments to Latin America surged 21.7 percent from the same period a year earlier, the data showed. Domestically, 123,275 vehicles were sold last month, down 7.2 percent from a year earlier.