CAR sales in China rose by 24 per cent to 3.54 million units for the first seven months, according to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers. Top performers continue to be the three major foreign joint ventures with VW and GM. Chery was the top independent maker.

The top 10 sellers had 64 per cent of the market. Overall vehicle output and sales are expected to hit a record 8.5 million this year. Chery, which sold 207,000 vehicles in the first half (52,712 exported), aims to hit one million units by 2009. Chery has partnerships with Fiat and Chrysler.