China's passenger vehicle sales up 95% in August

Shanghai, September 8 (Gasgoo.com) China's passenger vehicle sales, including sedans, MPV, SUV and minivans, soared 94.7% year-on-year to 849,376 units in August, China Daily reported today, citing an industry association official.

"The booming sales in August have surpassed even the boldest prediction in the industry, as sales in August were previously the weakest of the year," said Cui Dongshu, deputy secretary-general of the National Passenger Car Information Exchange Association.

Last month, nearly 621,110 sedans were sold, an increase of 84.2% from a year ago, while MPV (multi-purpose vehicle) and SUV sales grew 52.6% and 119% to 19,241 and 62,467 units, respectively.

China's top three passenger car sellers in August are Shanghai VW (65,012 units), FAW VW (64,061) and Shanghai GM (63,303), said Shanghai-based Jiefang Daily.

The domestic sales miracle has been worked by the government stimulus package and the rebounding market demand, which reflects China's rapid growing economy, Cui said.

The passenger car market will continue to record brisk sales this month, conservatively estimated at around 870,000 units. The full year sales are expected to reach 9.6 million units.

Chen Bin, chief director of the industry coordination department of the National Development and Reform Commission, said over the weekend that auto sales in China may grow 28% to 12 million this year.