China auto sales up 25% in Feb

Mar. 11, 2009 (China Knowledge) - China's auto sales increased 24.72% year on year to hit 827,600 units in February mainly due to the government incentives to boost the auto sector, sources reported.

Data from the China Association of Automobiles Manufacturers (CAAM) showed that sales of passenger cars reached 607,300 units, up 24.72% year on year, while sales of commercial cars grew 26.09% to 220,300 units.

Total output increased 23.08% to 807,900 units, said CAAM.

The year-on-year growth is the first one in four months since last October after the global financial crisis, , according to the association.

The Chinese government issued the stimulus measures to boost the auto consumption, including tax-cut on low emission car purchases and subsidies for auto purchases in rural areas.

CAAM said these measures helped boost the demand for low-emission cars in the country and help the market rebound from last year's slow pace.

Sales of cars with engines of 1.6 liters or smaller rose 18.8% year on year in the first two months this year, which also represents a 13% increase of the average growth rate, said CAAM.