China's Q1 auto sales over 4.6 million

• Source: Global Times
• [15:55 April 13 2010]
• Comments

China's auto sales volume in the first quarter of 2010 has reached a record high, as the average monthly auto sales exceeded 1.5 million units, up 50 percent year-on-year, according to the latest data released by the China Association of Auto Manufacturers (CAAM).

Chinese automakers produced 4,554,500 vehicles and sold 4,610,600 units from January to March this year. The production and sales volumes have both increased over 70 percent from a year earlier.

The commercial vehicle sales volume has increased 75 percent month-on-month to 470,200 units. And the auto export market has gradually improved; in March, 39,500 vehicles were exported abroad, up 49 percent compared with February. In the first two months, 66,100 vehicles were exported, up 58.02 percent year-on-year.

The market share of passenger vehicles with 1.6-liters or below, showed strong growth in 2009, but decreased in March due to the scaled down sales tax cuts on small cars.

Agencies and Shi Jierui contributed to this story