The growing popularity of newly launched full-sized hybrid cars with high-end amenities and good fuel economy increased sales of overall hybrid cars last month in South Korea, industry sources said Tuesday.

Combined sales of hybrid cars made by Hyundai Motor Co. and Kia Motors Corp. hit 2,982 units last month, up almost two-fold from 1,507 vehicles sold a year earlier, the sources said.

The numbers are not as high as the record 3,511 hybrid cars sold by the two companies in December 2012, yet they represent a solid rebound in sales.

The increase has been triggered by demand for the Grandeur and K7 hybrids, which were unveiled late last year. The two cars augmented the rather staid lineup of the Sonata and K5 models that have been offered since 2011 with the electric motor-combustion engine combination.

The Grandeur and K7 are known in overseas markets such as the United States as the Azera and Cadenza, respectively. (Yonhap)