Renault Samsung Motors Co., the local unit of French automaker Renault S.A., said Monday that its sales in May surged 39.5 percent from a year earlier thanks to strong demand from overseas markets.

Renault Samsung said that it sold a total of 18,874 cars last month, up from 13,532 units in the previous year. The spike in sales was attributed largely to its strong overseas sales that soared 101.21 percent on-year to 12,332 units last month.

GM Korea Co., the local unit of General Motors Co., said that its May sales expanded 3.6 percent from a year earlier, driven by brisk demand from overseas markets.

Ssangyong Motor Co., the local unit of India’s Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd., said its May sales dropped 1.3 percent on-year as its overseas shipments tumbled amid weak demand from emerging markets.

Kia Motors’ sales dropped 4.6 percent on-year in May due to a fall in overseas shipments.

From news reports