China’s Car Sales Plunge 12%

Wholesales of new cars in China dropped 12% to 2.39 million units in September, marking the sharpest monthly decline in nearly seven years, according to the China Assn. of Automobile Manufacturers.

The shrinkage—reflecting the effects of a cooling economy, tough pollution policies and the escalating China-U.S. trade war—follows 4% downturns in July and August.

Several major carmakers reported double-digit sales declines for September, led by Ford Motor Co.’s 43% drop to 64,400 vehicles. Ford’s year-to-date deliveries fell 30% to 585,200 units.

Industrywide car sales for January-September totaled 20.5 million units, up less than 2% year on year. Many experts predict a full-year downturn, which would be China’s first in more than 20 years.