China's light vehicle sales surge 21% in September
Automakers in China sold 1.6 million units in September, up 21 percent from the same period last year, the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers said.
September's robust growth reflects a recovery in China's economy, but was also aided by a low base a year earlier, when a flare-up in anti-Japanese sentiment triggered by a territorial dispute between the two countries slashes sales of Japanese cars in China.
The market enjoyed strong demand for SUVs and multipurpose vehicles. Last month, SUV sales surged 65 percent year-on-year to 283,600 units, while MPV sales tripled to 122,900 units.
Meanwhile, sedan sales rose 15 percent from a year earlier to 1 million units, but microvan sales dropped 30 percent to 121,500 units.
For the first nine months, China's sedan, SUV, MPV and microvan sales advanced 14 percent from the year-earlier period to 12.8 million units, according to the association.
China's top two foreign automakers, General Motors and Volkswagen AG, continue to battle each other for sales. In September, Volkswagen's various brands sold 300,000 units in China, up 15 percent year-on-year.
Meanwhile, General Motors sold 277,647 units in China, up 14 percent on strong demand for microvans and Cadillac luxury sedans.
For the first nine months, Volkswagen sales have risen nearly 18 percent to 2.35 million units, while General Motors sales increased 11 percent to 2.31 million vehicles.
The market enjoyed strong demand for SUVs and multipurpose vehicles. Last month, SUV sales surged 65 percent year-on-year to 283,600 units, while MPV sales tripled to 122,900 units.
Meanwhile, sedan sales rose 15 percent from a year earlier to 1 million units, but microvan sales dropped 30 percent to 121,500 units.
For the first nine months, China's sedan, SUV, MPV and microvan sales advanced 14 percent from the year-earlier period to 12.8 million units, according to the association.
China's top two foreign automakers, General Motors and Volkswagen AG, continue to battle each other for sales. In September, Volkswagen's various brands sold 300,000 units in China, up 15 percent year-on-year.
Meanwhile, General Motors sold 277,647 units in China, up 14 percent on strong demand for microvans and Cadillac luxury sedans.
For the first nine months, Volkswagen sales have risen nearly 18 percent to 2.35 million units, while General Motors sales increased 11 percent to 2.31 million vehicles.
