China 2012 vehicle sales rise 4% to 19.3 million

Sales of light vehicles in China rose a modest 4% to 19.3 million units in 2012, missing official projections for deliveries of as many as 20 million made in July, the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers reported.

Sales of passenger cars rose 7% to 15.5 million units, and SUVs were the fastest-growing segment with a 26% gain. But sales of commercial vehicles fell 6%. Vehicle exports from China jumped 30% to 1.1 million units, the association reported. Passenger vehicle sales unexpectedly shrank in September after anti-Japan demonstrations sparked a backlash that hurt sales at Toyota Motor Corp. to Nissan Motor Co. Sales of Japanese brands are gradually recovering.
 

In 2013, wholesale vehicle deliveries in China are expected to rise 7% to nearly 20.7 million units, led by demand for passenger vehicles, the association said in its statement. Passenger vehicle sales may climb 9% to 16.8 million units, the association estimates, while commercial vehicle sales are expected to rebound 1% to 3.85 million units. Vehicle exports are projected to total 1.3 million units in 2013, according to the association.