April passenger vehicle sales rise 16.6%

Passenger vehicle sales enjoyed double-digit year-on-year growth in April, with the week-long Shanghai International Auto Show and the three-day toll-free Labor Day holiday boosting figures in the fourth week of the month, particularly.

Total sales of cars, sports-utility vehicles, multi-purpose vehicles and minivans accelerated 16.6 percent from last year to 1,341,900 during the month, the China Passenger Car Association said on Thursday.

"The launches of new models at the show and toll-free holidays, which encouraged more self-drive trips, greatly improved sales in April," said Rao Da, the association's secretary-general.