Chinese auto sales grew 9.8% in the first half, helped by low base

New energy vehicles thrive, but no end in price war seen as pact retracted

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BYD sold the most new energy vehicles in China in the first half of the year -- over 1.25 million, far outpacing Tesla. © Getty Images

CK TAN, Nikkei staff writer

SHANGHAI -- China's vehicle sales grew 9.8% to 13.24 million in the first half of 2023, partly driven by a low base in the same period last year, an industry group announced on Tuesday. It left its 3% growth projection for the full year intact.

The growth was artificially high, especially in the second quarter due to the impact of the country's zero-COVID lockdowns last year, and despite the price war launched by automakers earlier this year to gain market share.

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