Car Sales in China Expand 6%

Demand for new passenger vehicles in China grew by a relatively sluggish 6% to 1.7 million units in October, according to the government-backed China Assn. of Automobile Manufacturers.

When commercial vehicles are included, growth fell to 3% from 20% in October 2013.

Last week the independent China Passenger Car Assn. reported that car deliveries rose 9% to 1.7 million units.

Carmakers have been reporting widely varying results for October. Volkswagen group rose 7% to 310,000 units. General Motors sold a record 291,400 vehicles, but the 3% increase was the company's smallest in 20 months. Demand for Toyota vehicles surged 27% to 104,700 units. Ford sales slipped 1% to 93,200 units.