Auto sales get leg-up from inland regions

Li Yuan, a 32-year-old lecturer at Xidian University in Xi'an, Shaanxi province, has been waiting for his Ford Focus sedan for over two months.

"It's hard to imagine and accept that I have to wait for such a long time for delivery even after paying for the car. The steady sale of these expensive consumer goods makes me doubt whether there is actually an economic slowdown or not," said Li, a lecturer of economics and philosophy.

A salesperson surnamed Wang with Sichuan Huaxing Mingshi Auto Sales Co, the dealer for the Audi brand in Chengdu, was also surprised that the luxury brand's sales this year have far outnumbered that in 2008.