SEOUL, May 4 (Xinhua) -- South Korea's online shopping hit a record high in March thanks to soaring purchases of cars and mobile devices in cyberspace, statistical ministry data showed Monday.

hoto taken on Feb. 22, 2019 shows the buildings shrouded in smog in Seoul, South Korea. (Photo: Xinhua)

Shopping in cyberspace advanced 13.3 percent over the year to 25.58 trillion won (about 17.4 billion U.S. dollars) in March, according to the Ministry of Data and Statistics.

It marked the highest since relevant data began to be compiled in 2017.

The online sale of cars and car accessories skyrocketed 109.9 percent amid surging online purchases of models from the U.S. automaker Tesla.

Online demand for mobile devices spiked 107.5 percent, while that for travel and transport services, computer and peripherals, cosmetics, baby and kid products, and fashion items and accessories gained in double figures.

Online sales of food and beverages, food delivery service, clothing, and agricultural, livestock and fishery products recorded a single-digit expansion, while online transactions of e-coupon service increased 10.7 percent amid a stronger trend to provide gifts such as coffee and cake through e-coupons.

Shopping through smartphones, tablets and other mobile gadgets grew 11.6 percent over the year to 19.41 trillion won (about 13.2 billion dollars) in March, accounting for 75.9 percent of total online shopping.