Domestic carmakers' global sales increased 8.7 percent last month compared to the same period in 2011. The country's five automakers -- Hyundai Motor, Kia Motors, GM Korea, Renault Samsung Motors and Ssangyong Motor -- said Thursday they sold a total of 732,635 cars -- 124,106 in the domestic market and 608,529 overseas -- in October.

Domestic sales rose 2.6 percent from October 2011, and 7.2 percent from September. Hyundai's new Santa Fe and Kia's new compact sedan, the K3, played important roles in the surging sales. The five carmakers' overseas sales rose 10.1 percent from last year.

By brand, Hyundai sold a total of 412,189 cars to set record-high monthly sales. Although its domestic sales increased a mere 4.4 percent on-year, overseas sales rose 15.7 percent due to brisk demand in the U.S., China and Russia

Renault Samsung's domestic sales dropped almost 40 percent from last year, but increased 16.8 percent from September.