Hyundai, Kia's Europe sales more than double in May

Hyundai Motor Co. and affiliate Kia Corp. sold a combined 88,171 vehicles in Europe last month, almost doubling the 42,492 units it sold in the same month a year ago due to robust demand and lower base effect.

The carmakers enjoyed robust sales of its Hyundai's Tucson and Kona SUV and Kia's Sportage SUV and Cee'd crossover utility vehicle.

From January to May, the duo's sold 388,711 autos, soaring 37 percent from 283,170 units in the same period of last year.

Consequently, they accounted for 7.5 percent of the European market, up from 7.2 percent from last year.