GM Sales Drop 15% in China

General Motors Co. reports that its sales in China in July-September plunged 15% to 835,900 units.

The company blames the downturn on softer demand among China’s so-called second-tier markets, plus difficulties changing to smaller-displacement engines for Buick brand vehicles. GM now reports sales on a quarterly rather than monthly basis.

GM’s overall sales growth in China slowed from 8% in the first quarter to 1% in April-June. The company reports its volume through the first nine months of 2018 shrank 3% to 2.68 million vehicles.