China's auto sales up 36% to 13.1 mln units in Jan-Sep

Shanghai October 12 (Gasgoo.com) Sales of China's domestically-made automobiles totaled 13.13 million units in the first three quarters, up 35.97% compared with the same period of last year. Output reached 13.08 million units, up 36.10% year on year, the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM) said Tuesday.

In September alone, China's automobile output and sales both exceeded 1.5 million units, given which CAAM said the full-year figures are likely to surpass 17 million units. Automobile sales in the same month rose 16.9% from a year earlier to 1.56 million units.

In January-September 2010, the top 10 Chinese automakers reported sales of 11.3 million units, accounting for 86% of total automobile sales.

Of which SAIC reported sales of 2.65 million units, ranking first, followed by Dongfeng Motor with 1.90 million, FAW with 1.85 million, Changan Auto with 1.72 million, BAIC with 1.10 million, Guangzhou Auto with 532,500, Chery Auto with 475,300, BYD with 386,200, Brilliance Auto with 375,800 and JAC with 350,900.

Sales of SAIC are expected to beat 3 million units this year and those of Dongfeng Motor, FAW and Changan Auto will also break 2 million units, CAAM said.