China saw a slowdown in auto sales growth in the first half of 2008, due largely to increasing gas prices and looming restrictions on vehicle operation for better air quality during the upcoming Beijing Olympics.

China Association of Automobile Manufacturers said on Wednesday that between January and June, the country sold 3.61 million passenger motor vehicles, a growth of 17.07 percent over the same period a year previous. The growth rate, however, was 5.19 percentage points lower than the 22.26 percent level recorded in the same period last year.

The total included 2.67 million cars, up 16.72 percent and 111,400 multiple purpose vehicles (MPVs), an increase of 4.09 percent. In addition, 224,300 sport utility vehicles (SUVs) were sold, up 42 percent.

The top-10 brands accounted for 1.76 million units, or 65.86 percent, of the total car sales. They were FAW Volkswagen, Shanghai Volkswagen, Shanghai GM, FAW Toyota, Chery, Dongfeng Nissan, Beijing Hyundai, Guangzhou Honda, Geely and Chang'an Ford.

In June, 588,300 passenger vehicles were sold nationwide, up 15.23 percent over the same month last year.

The total included 433,600 cars, up 13.19 percent, 18,100 MPVs, up 4.53 percent, and 45,200 SUVs, up 49.25 percent.

Analysts with the association attributed the fast growth of SUV sales partly to mounting demand driven by disaster relief.

Experts with the Zhonglian Auto Trade Market in Beijing said most potential auto buyers had taken a wait-and-see attitude and that the market would warm again in late September upon easing of the Olympic auto restrictions.

(Xinhua News Agency July 9, 2008)