Xinhua cited Mr Xu Changming director of the Information Resources Department of the State Information Center as saying that China auto sales will continue rapid growth in more than a decade, with average growth rate equivalent to 1.5 times of the GDP growth rate.

Mr Xu remains optimistic about auto sales in 2010. He said that "Auto sales growth slowed down in the first quarter of this year, but its growth momentum continued. It has been estimated that the GDP growth rate will be about 9.5% this year. Plus the stimulus policy is not at an end, so growth rate of the country's auto sales is expected to be 17%."

However, Mr Xu pointed out that the auto sales growth faces risks. He believes that if the processed oil price continued to be marked up, this would lead to a rise of oil price, affecting sales of low-cost and low-emissions cars.

China, the world biggest auto market, saw some 4.61 million units sold in the Q1 of this year up about 72% from a year earlier. Sales in March increased 56%YoY.

(Sourced from Xinhua)