Hyundai Motor Co. and its smaller affiliate, Kia Motors Corp. saw their combined sales in the United States rise slightly in September, thanks in large part to strong SUV sales, industry data showed Monday.

The two South Korean auto giants sold a combined 115,830 units in the US last month, up 1.7 percent from 113,835 units sold in the same period last year, the data showed.

Hyundai's sales rose 4 percent to 66,610 units, which marks the best September ever.

"Strong performances by our Santa Fe and Santa Fe Sport, in addition to the sub-compact Accent, lead the way to yet another record month," Derrick Hatami, vice president of national sales for Hyundai Motor America, said in a statement.

The sales of Santa Fe and Santa Fe Sport rose 5.6 percent to 11,350 units.

Meanwhile, Kia's sales fell 1.2 percent to 49,220 units as the traditional best sellers Optima mid-size sedan and the Soul boxcar slumped. Sales of the Optima and the Soul fell 23 percent and 13 percent to 9,010 and 11,885 units, respectively.

Still, Kia said it recorded the highest sales total in company history through the first three quarters.

"On the strength of double digit gains for the Rio, Forte, Sportage and Sedona nameplates through the first nine months of the year, Kia's upward trajectory continues despite the industry showing signs of little growth," Michael Sprague, chief operating officer of Kia Motors America, said in a statement. (Yonhap)