Car Sales in China Jump 13%

Automakers sold 1.3 million passenger vehicles in China last month compared with 1.1 million units in April 2011, the China Assn. of Automobile Manufacturers reports.

Total vehicle sales, including commercial vehicles and buses, rose 5% to 1.6 million units, according to the group. CAAM says it sees signs of recovery in the country's auto market after passenger-vehicle demand fell 2% in the first quarter of 2012.

The Chinese government cut the prices of gasoline and diesel fuels by more than 3% on Wednesday. Analysts say lower fuel prices may spur demand, thus helping carmakers shrink the bloated vehicle inventories that have triggered a price war.