The total car production in the first four months amounted to 565,400, doubled that of the same period last year, and most major car producers in China renewed their monthly production record in April.

Statistics show that private purchase strongly supported production increases.

Car sales in April increased substantially and more than 1,000 cars were sold in three successive days in Beijing in late April.

The soaring car production and sales volume in April indicated that people preferred to use cars rather than public transport during the SARS period, and sales of private cars made up the bulk of the car industry.

(CRI News May 26, 2003)