China produced 2.5 million passenger cars in the first eight months this year, up 10.24 percent year on year, and sold 2.45 million passenger cars, up 15.09 percent, the China Automotive Industry Association announced on Monday.

Meanwhile, commercial vehicle output grew only 4.3 percent to 1.2 million, with sales up 2.41 percent to 1.19 million, the Association said.

During the January-August period, China altogether produced 3.7 million autos, growing 8.23 percent year on year, and sold 3.64 million, up 10.61 percent.

In August, China's auto output and sales reached 441,600 and 418,700 respectively, up 17.08 and 9.02 percent year on year, according to the China Automotive Industry Association.

During the first eight months, the output and sales of Multi Purpose Vehicles (MPVs) jumped over 30 percent, figures show. Meanwhile the sales of sedans and Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs) increased 15.78 and 8.23 percent respectively.

(Xinhua News Agency September 14, 2005)