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Despite gloomy international sales, whether in Western countries or emerging economies, the still-robust Chinese auto market currently offers the brightest prospects for global automobile manufacturers to offset their losses at home.

China has been the first to show improvement from the devastating industry downturn that began in second half of last year as it benefits from a series of government incentives to boost auto consumption.

China halved retail taxes on small cars this year and plans to supply 5 billion yuan for vehicle subsidies in rural areas to drive auto sales after growth rose at the slowest pace in a decade last year, when 9.38 million units were sold, an increase of 6.7 percent over 2007.

The stimulus package was felt in the first quarter, when domestic sales surpassed the waning US market for three months in a row, giving China the temporary title of top auto market in the world.

The country even reached a monthly sales record of 1.11 million vehicles in March, 34.1 percent more than in February, and a 5 percent year-on-year increase.

That compares with a plummet of more than 30 percent in US for the period, when 2.2 million vehicles were sold.

"China's auto sales in 2009 may break the 10-million barrier and overtake the US as the world's largest automobile market for the entire year," noted Mei Songlin, deputy general manager of J.D. Power Asia-Pacific.

The growth in China provides global automakers the confidence to further develop and invest in China in a big way.

Questions:

1. What was the reason for the continuing growth of the Chinese auto market?

2. What was of interest comparing the US and Chinese auto market for the Q1?

3. Which barrier stands the possibility of being broken this year in terms of Chinese auto sales?

Answers:

1. A series of government incentives that boosted auto consumption.

2. Chinese sales surpassed the US market for three months in a row, giving China the temporary title of top auto market in the world.

3. The 10 million barrier.

（英語點津 Helen 編輯）

Brendan joined The China Daily in 2007 as a language polisher in the Language Tips Department, where he writes a regular column for Chinese English Language learners, reads audio news for listeners and anchors the weekly video news in addition to assisting with on location stories. Elsewhere he writes Op’Ed pieces with a China focus that feature in the Daily’s Website opinion section.

He received his B.A. and Post Grad Dip from Curtin University in 1997 and his Masters in Community Development and Management from Charles Darwin University in 2003. He has taught in Japan, England, Australia and most recently China. His articles have featured in the Bangkok Post, The Taipei Times, The Asia News Network and in-flight magazines.