South Korea's top automaker Hyundai Motor Co. and its smaller affiliate Kia Motors Corp. said Sunday their cumulative sales in China have exceeded 9 million units in 12 years since their entry into the fast-growing market.

In the first nine months of this year, Hyundai and Kia sold a combined 1.28 million units in the Chinese market, up 9.5 percent from the same period a year earlier.

The January-September figure raised the two companies' cumulative sales in China to more than 9 million vehicles, according to the companies.

In 2003, Hyundai and Kia sold a combined 134,223 units and their cumulative sales surpassed the 2-million mark in 2009. Since then, their sales have risen by more than 1 million units annually.

Hyundai and Kia attributed their stellar sales growth in China to strong shipments of sport utility vehicles and compact cars.

The cumulative sales of the Elantra and Yuedong compact models have topped the 1-million mark, respectively, according to Hyundai.

Hyundai and Kia said they will ramp up sales efforts in China by rolling out new models tailored for the Chinese market.

Hyundai and Kia are the flagships of Hyundai Motor Group, the world's fifth-largest automaker. (Yonhap)