Car Sales in China Rise 24%

Wholesale deliveries of passenger vehicles in China rose to 1.61 million units in October from 1.3 million a year earlier, according to the China Assn. of Automobile Manufacturers.

Analysts say the country's sales this year are on track to surpass 20 million vehicles from last year's record 19.3 million units.

It was the largest month-on-month improvement all year. Including trucks and buses, last month's volume climbed 20% to 1.93 million units.

CAAM says demand for SUVs surged more than 70% to 284,200 units, led by Great Wall Motor Co.'s Haval models, in October. The month's best-selling sedan was the Ford Focus.

Sales of all vehicles through the first 10 months of 2013 totaled 17.8 million units, including 14.5 million passenger vehicles, the association says.