Mubasher: Hyundai Motor on Tuesday announced that its sales soared 11.1% year-on-year in April 2018, marking the highest growth in 40 months.

The South Korean-based automaker has sold a total of 391,297 vehicles globally in the fourth month of the year, achieving the highest level since December 2014.  

Higher sales were ascribed to strong demand for new Hyundai’s sport utility vehicle (SUV) models Santa Fe and Kona, with the major upward contribution from the rebounding sales in China.

Overseas sales increased by 12.2% year-on-year to 327,409 vehicles, with SUV Kona offered in key markets, while strong demand remained in emerging markets such as Brazil, Russia, and India.

Meanwhile, the giant automaker's sales in the Korean market gained 5.7% year-on-year to 63,788 sold vehicles last month, according to the firm's data.

Santa Fe became the best-selling model domestically for the second month in a row, with 11,837 sold units, Hyundai said. 

The South Korean carmaker plans to expand its profitability by boosting its SUV sales worldwide.