China auto sales likely to reach 9.4 mln in 2009

Shanghai, December 31 (Gasgoo.com) China's total vehicle sales will likely reach 9.41 million units for the full year of 2009, according to the State Information Center's forecast, reported by Bejing Youth Daily on Wednesday.

Passenger vehicle sales next year is estimated at 7.06 million units, of which car sales excluding minivans will likely grow by 5.7 percent year on year to 5,99 million units. Sales of commercial vehicles in 2009 are looking to drop by 9.8 percent to 2.35 million units.

The report said many industry associations have predicts that China's GDP growth next year is expected to remain above 8 percent and its car market is to see similar growth despite the global economic slump.