Motor Vehicle Sales in China Rise 8% in July

Wholesale deliveries of passenger and commercial vehicles in China grew to 1.38 million in July from 1.28 million units a year earlier, according to the China Assn. of Automobile Manufacturers.

Sales of passenger cars climbed 11% to 1.12 million units. Analysts attribute the relatively modest increase to China's slowing economic growth and postponed purchases by consumers who hope the government will offer a new round of subsidies.

General Motors and its joint venture partners reported a 15% sales increase to 199,500 vehicles last month. Ford's volume jumped 32% to 42,600 units. Sales grew 1% to 52,000 units Honda. But volume slid 5% to 78,400 vehicles at Toyota and 2% to 98,100 units at Nissan. Volkswagen has not yet reported its July volume in China.

Sales by domestic brands rose 13% to 411,600 vehicles in July. Those makes captured 37% of the car market, down from 42% in May and 39% in June. Analysts say consumers are more attracted to pricier foreign-brand vehicles.

Auto production in China increased 10% to 1.44 million vehicles in July, CAAM says. Exports soared 22% to 89,300 units for the month.

In the January-July period, sales of passenger and commercial vehicles advanced 4% year over year to 10.98 million units, including an 8% gain in car volume to 8.74 million units.