Auto sales in China, the world's second largest car market, soared in the first nine months of the year to 4.58 million units, a 24% increase from a year ago, state media reported Oct. 15.
Sales of passenger vehicles in September rose 17% from the previous month to 561,000 units, according to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers.
Meanwhile, sales of sedan cars leaped 26% to 3.44 million units for the January to September period while sports utility vehicles rose 52% to 251,700 and multi-purpose vehicles were up 21% to 165,300 units.
Volkswagen's China joint venture -- FAW Volkswagen -- was the top seller, selling 684,786 units, the report said. Shanghai Volkswagen, the firms other venture with SAIC, was behind with US's General Motors ranking third. Fast-growing domestic automobile company Chery took fourth spot.
Copyright Agence France-Presse, 2007
