October Car Sales Up 24% in China

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 or about 25% of the worldwide total this year.

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.