SEOUL - South Korea's automobile production grew 10.3 percent in September from a year earlier due to solid demand from both domestic and overseas markets, a government report showed Tuesday.

The country's five automakers, including Hyundai Motor, Kia Motors, GM Korea, Renault Samsung Motors and Ssangyong Motor, produced 374,014 vehicles in September, up 10.3 percent from the same period of last year, the Ministry of Knowledge Economy said in a statement.

Auto output in Hyundai increased by 10.5 percent on-year in September as the firm's main car models gained popularity in overseas markets, while production in Kia grew 7.6 percent on-year last month on solid demand from at home and abroad, according to the ministry.

Domestic sales by the five carmakers rose 3.8 percent on-year to 125,043 vehicles in September on strong demand for fuel- efficient cars and new models, the ministry said.

Sales of the imported cars surged 25.3 percent on-year to 10,055 units last month, posting the second-largest monthly sales in the nation's history.

Exports of locally-manufactured cars grew 14 percent on-year to reach 249,342 vehicles in September as strong demand for fuel- efficient and small cars overshadowed the global economic uncertainties, the ministry said.