Kia Motors Corp., South Korea's second-largest automaker, said Tuesday that its sales jumped 15.2 percent in March from a year ago, mainly helped by more overseas demand.

The carmaker said it sold a total of 272,002 units overall last month, up from 236,076 a year earlier.

Of all cars sold, sales in the home market contracted 1.3 percent on-year to 39,005 units, while overseas sales stood at 232,997, an 18.5 percent increase from March 2013, the company said in a statement.

"Despite economic uncertainties, demand for Kia models in overseas markets pushed up sales numbers," the carmaker said. Sales of cars made by its overseas assembly lines shot up 14.6 percent compared to the year before to 116,684 vehicles.

Compared to February, when sales hit 242,797 units, numbers were up 12 percent.

Kia said sales of such cars as the Forte compact, Sportage R sport utility vehicle and midsize Optima did exceptionally well abroad.

It added sales of its Picanto small city car totaled 35,050 units last month, making it the best-selling Kia vehicle during the one month period.

The carmaker said sales of the Forte in foreign markets hit 34,977 units, followed by 34,515 for the Sportage R and 27,581 for the Optima.

In the domestic market, sales of its steady sellers such as the K3, K5 and Sportage R did relatively well, although sales suffered due to sluggish automobile market conditions. (Yonhap)