Vehicle sales in China rise at fastest pace

Vehicle sales rose at the fastest pace in four months as economic growth increased demand in the world's second largest vehicle market. Sales gained 25.3% to 713,600 cars, buses and trucks in May, the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers said in an e-mailed statement. Total vehicle production rose 22% to 710,200 units. Commercial vehicle sales rose 30% during the month to 225,100.

China's 11.1% economic growth in the first quarter is fuelling demand for trucks at Foton Motor Co and Dongfeng Motor Group Co to transport goods within the country and move cargo to ports. The growth in May was the 27th straight year-on-year advance.

In the first five months, vehicle sales rose 22% to 3.65 million units, while production expanded 21% to 3.72 million. Passenger car production, including sport utility vehicles and multi-purpose vehicles, rose 20% to 2.62 million units.