China's July auto sales rise 8.2 pct

China's auto sales rose 8.16 percent year on year to 1.38 million vehicles in July, slowing from 9.9 percent in June, the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM) said Thursday.

Auto output hit 1.44 million units, up 10.03 percent from one year earlier, according to a statement on the CAAM's website.

Sales of passenger vehicles hit 1.12 million units, up 10.71 percent year on year, while production hit 1.18 million units, up 12.79 percent, the data showed.

However, sales of commercial vehicles slid 1.63 percent to 259,200 units, while commercial vehicle output declined 1.32 percent to 252,300 units, according to the statement.

China's automobile industry expanded exponentially in 2009 and 2010. The nation overtook the United States to become the world's largest auto market in terms of sales in 2009. Sales continued to surge in 2010, jumping more than 32 percent to hit 18.06 million units.

However, sales growth became more moderate last year with the slowing of the economy and the expiration of policy incentives for car purchases.

CAAM said last month that the country's auto sales are likely to rise by 8 percent to 20 million units in 2012 if the economy picks up momentum in the second half.

In the first seven months of 2012, China's auto sales expanded by 3.56 percent year on year, while output increased 4.84 percent.

Domestically manufactured auto sales amounted to 10.98 million vehicles in the period, up 3.6 percent year on year.