China's auto sales fall for 2nd straight month in May

Shanghai, June 12 (Gasgoo.com) In May 2008, China sold 97.82% of the vehicles its carmakers produced in the same month. However, output and sales declined over April for the second straight month, Xinhua cited the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers saying on Thursday.

China produced 854,100 motor vehicles in May, down 12.96% from April but up 20.2% over one year earlier. The total output included 591,400 passenger vehicles, down 10.2% from April but up 20.03% over May 2007. The output of commercial vehicles hit 262,700 units, down 18.61% m/m but up 20.58% y/y.

The country sold 835,500 vehicles, down 9.44% month-on-month (m/m) but up 17.04 percent year-on-year (y/y). The monthly sales included 564,600 passenger vehicles, down 6.66% from a month ago but up 15.59 percent over a year earlier. Monthly sales of commercial vehicles reached 270,900 units, down 14.74% m/m but up 20.18% y/y.

There were 377,698 sedans sold nationwide in May, up 15.3% from a year earlier but down 4.1% from April. Jetta (FAW VW) was the top selling brand with 18,243 units sold, followed by Santana (Shanghai GM), Accord (Guangzhou Honda), Corolla (Tianjin FAW Toyota), and Yuedong (Beijing Hyundai), which sold 17,562, 15,923, 15,228, and 12,239 units, respectively, in the month.