Hyundai Motor and Kia Motors posted all-time high monthly sales in the European market in March, despite the worsening business environment in the wake of the eurozone debt crisis.

The affiliated companies’ combined sales came to 85,393 units in Europe in March, up 15.3 percent from 74,107 units a year before.

According to the European Automobile Manufactures’ Association, also known as ACEA, Hyundai reported a 13.8 percent growth with sales of 50,131 units and Kia, 17.3 percent with 35,262 units.

In contrast, the total sales of global carmakers saw their combined sales fall 6.6 percent from about 1.6 million units to 1.49 million over the corresponding period, ACEA data showed.

While Volkswagen Group reported 1.7 percent in growth with sales of 352,455 units, other major players, such as PSA Peugeot-Citroen, Renault, General Motors and Fiat, suffered a drop in sales.

Hyundai-Kia grabbed 5.7 percent of the European market to secure the No. 7 position. Its sales ranking exceeded Fiat, Daimler and Toyota Motor.

The Korean carmakers expanded their presence in Europe by launching sales of i40, a mid-sized wagon, and Rio, a small-sized sedan last year.

“The mid-sized wagon style is popular in Europe,” a Hyundai Motor spokesman said. “The i40 is competitive as a variety of convenient devices are included in the model.”

Hyundai and Kia are posting brisk sales in major markets such as Germany and France.

About a year earlier, Hyundai Motor became a full member of an industry lobby of European carmakers, a move which company officials said would help boost Hyundai’s image and sales in the region.

Hyundai became the 17th member of the ACEA. Hyundai Motor is the second Asian automaker with full membership in the European association after Toyota Motor.

The association approved the automaker’s membership two years after the Seoul-based company applied for the position.

By Kim Yon-se (kys@heraldcorp.com)