CAAM Says China Car Sales Rose 13% in October

Wholesale deliveries of cars, SUVs and MPVs rose 13% to 1.94 million units in October, according to the government-supported China Assn. of Automobile Manufacturers.

Last week the China Passenger Car Assn. reported combined sales of vehicles in those categories grew 11% to 1.86 million units last month.

CAAM figures overall vehicle sales in China, which include commercial vehicles, will expand 3% this year. The group says sales through the first 10 months of the year advanced less than 2% to 19.3 million units.

Analysts predict a continuing sales uptick through this year as consumers take advantage of discounts and the government’s 50% cut in new-car taxes on vehicles powered by engines displacing 1.6 liters or less.