In February, China's auto output and sales both exceeded 800,000 units, the first time 800,000 units has been exceeded in eight months ago - according to the data reported yesterday by the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM). Furthermore, it is expected that the market situation in March will indicate an improvement compared to February and market players are showing a cautious optimism about the future of the auto market.
In February, China produced 807,900 autos, with an increase of 22.96 percent over the previous month and up 23.08 percent year on year. Meanwhile, China sold 827,600 autos in February, marking an increase of 12.43 percent month on month and 24.72 percent year on year. During the period in question, 591,300 passenger vehicles were produced and 607,300 units were sold in China's domestic market, up 25.40 percent and 24.23 percent respectively compared with the same period of last year. In addition, in February China produced 216,600 commercial vehicles and sold 220,300 units, showing increases of 17.17 percent and 26.09 percent respectively.
During the first two months of 2009, China produced and sold 1.4649 million and 1.5636 million autos respectively, with a decrease of 1.16 percent in output and an increase of 2.70 percent in sales compared with the same period of last year. Regarding passenger vehicles in January-February, 1.1162 million were produced and 1.2179 million were sold, up 3.29 percent and 5.81 percent respectively year on year; on the commercial vehicles side, 348,700 and 345,700 units were produced and sold, down 13.15 percent and 6.94 percent year on year. Among the top 10 commercial vehicle producers, Dongfeng Motor Corporation, China FAW Group, JAC Motors, China National Heavy Duty Truck Group and Jiangling Motors Corporation registered a decrease in sales in January-February 2009, compared with the first two months of last year.