TOKYO (Dow Jones)--Honda Motor Co. said Thursday its domestic auto production and sales shot up in May, thanks to strong sales of vans and minicars.

Domestic output rose in May to 91,881 vehicles, a 15.7% gain from the same month a year ago, while domestic sales soared 19.7% to 50,803 vehicles, the car maker said.

It was Honda's third straight month of on-year increased output and the sixth straight month of on-year rises in sales.

Honda said sales were led by the popularity of its Life minivehicles, and its Odyssey and Step WGN minivans. Passenger cars and light truck sales rose 27.2% to 31,128 units, while minivehicles climbed 9.4% to 19,675 units.

Exports rose in May by 8.3% to 40,007 vehicles, buoyed by robust demand in North America and Asia, the car maker said.

Overseas production also rose, posting a 10.6% gain to 113,882 vehicles. Total overseas production figures include final assembly of partially complete units.

Production in North America and Asia increased in May, rising 16.2% to 91,502 vehicles and 27.3% to 13,572 vehicles, respectively, a Honda spokeswoman said.

Production at the car maker's Europe-based plant plunged 58.7% to 4,189 cars.