Auto exports to Algeria have sharply risen this year, partly driven by rising demand and the operation of an assembly plant there, industry sources said Wednesday.

According to the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA), exports of South Korean passenger cars to the African country amounted to US$92.56 million in the first 10 months of the year, up 52 percent from a year earlier.

Exports of commercial vehicles to Algeria also surged 11.1 percent on-year to $57.57 million through October.

Shipments of Korean passenger vehicles to Algeria suffered a 25 percent drop in the first eight months of the year, but have rebounded sharply since September as Hyundai Motor Co., South Korea's leading automaker, started the operation of an auto assembly plant there.

Hyundai Motor's assembly plant in Algeria currently produces some of its models there, including the i10.

The assembly plant is expected to produce 83,000 units this year and raise the volume to some 98,000 next year. (Yonhap)