Car imports rose 13.1% in China last year

China imported 13.1% more cars in 2008 or 2.26 million vehicles, the central government said on its website (www.gov.cn). China’s auto market, the world’s second largest and one of the fastest growing markets in the world, is a rare bright spot for the global automotive industry that is facing factory closures, layoffs and huge losses due to the global economic recession. The statement did not provide any breakdown of the imports, saying only that the number of imported motorcycles dropped 38% last year to 511,740 units. (January 4, 2009)