New Delhi, Oct 1 (IANS): Hyundai Motor India Ltd. (HMIL) on Thursday reported a 9.8 percent rise in total sales for September.

The South Korean automobile manufacturer's total sales last month stood at 56,535 units - up from 51,471 in the corresponding month of 2014.

Domestic sales surged by 21.3 percent at 42,505 units, from 35,041 units during September last year.

Exports dropped by 14.6 percent, with 14,030 units being shipped out. The figure stood at 16,430 in the corresponding period last year.

"Hyundai grew by 21.3 percent with its highest-ever monthly domestic sales of 42,505 units," said Rakesh Srivastava, senior vice-president (sales and marketing) of HMIL.

"Highest-ever monthly domestic sales of 42,505 units in a single month in its last 17 years (came) on the strong performance of its modern premium brands -- Creta, Elite i20, i20 Active and Grand."

The company also registered a 14.2 percent growth in the first-half of the current fiscal year.