China overtakes U.S. to become world's largest auto manufacturer

According to data from the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM), China has replaced the U.S. as the world's largest auto manufacturer for the first time

By Ian Armitage | Tue Jan 12, 2010

China has overtaken the U.S. to become the world's biggest auto manufacturer for the first time, with annual sales exceeding 13.64 million units in 2009, the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM) has said.

According to CAAM, annual Chinese auto sales rose 46.15 percent year-on-year in 2009, to 13.64 million units.

Figures released last week by Autodata showed that American auto sales fell 21.2 percent in 2009 to 10.43 million vehicles.

China's surge in car sales is partly due to government incentives.

Edited by Ellie Duncan

SOURCE: www.caam.org.cn