SEOUL, Oct. 5 (Xinhua) -- South Korean automakers' global car sales rose last month thanks to a strong local demand, marking the first growth this year, industry data showed Monday.

(Photo: Xinhua)

The global automotive sales by five carmakers, namely Hyundai, Kia, GM Korea, Renault Samsung and Ssangyong, amounted to 703,247 vehicles in September, up 0.9 percent from a year earlier.

It was the first growth this year as the local car sales posted a double-digit increase that offset weak overseas demand.

The number of cars sold in the domestic market was 138,530 in September, up 23.3 percent from a year earlier, while declining 3.4 percent to 564,717 units in the overseas markets.

Hyundai Motor, the country's No.1 carmaker, sold 360,762 vehicles globally, down 5.3 percent year on year. Its local car sales jumped 33.8 percent to 67,080 units, and overseas sale shrank 11.2 percent to 293,682 units.

The number of vehicles sold by Kia Motors, affiliated with Hyundai, was 51,211 in September in the domestic market, up 21.9 percent from a year earlier. Kia's overseas auto sales climbed 7.7 percent to 208,812 units.

GM Korea sold a total of 40,544 vehicles globally in September, with both local and overseas sales growing on a yearly basis.

Renault Samsung recorded a fall in sales both at home and abroad. Ssangyong's car exports fell in double figures, but domestic sales expanded in double digits in September. Enditem