Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group aims to sell 5.3 million cars abroad next year, up 650,000 from this year's goal and 1.1 million from last year's sales.

The ambitious plan to boost overseas sales by 26 percent from last year contrasts moves by rivals including Toyota which have unveiled cutbacks amid the global economic downturn.

Under its plan for 2010 announced on Thursday, Hyundai Motor will produce 1.7 million cars at home and 1.72 million in overseas plants, marking the first time in its history that overseas production will surpass domestic output. Sister company Kia Motors will produce a total of 1.88 million cars -- 1.27 million in Korea and 610,000 abroad.  

Meanwhile, Hyundai Motor will begin producing the new version of the Sonata sedan at its factory in Alabama early next year. The U.S. plant will also start building the latest Avante compact late next year.

Kia Motors' plant in the U.S. state of Georgia, which began production of the Sorento crossover SUV from last month, will produce the new version of the Lotze mid-size sedan and Hyundai's Santa Fe crossover SUV starting late next year.

The increased production in the U.S. means a reduction in the group's at-home production and exports to the U.S.