CHINA'S annual production and sales of new autos will surpass 15 million vehicles this year, Dong Yang, secretary-general of the China Association of Automobile Manufactures, said yesterday.

Auto sales continued to rise in July, though at a slower pace than in previous months. Growth slowed from 124 percent in January to 40 percent in April and to 17.18 percent in July.

Rapid growth in auto sales during the first several months of 2010 was due to last year's low comparison base and it was not representative of the true picture in the industry, Dong said.

"The current slowed growth in auto sales is beneficial for the sustained development of the industry, while a too-fast growth may put a lot of pressure on the environment and use of energy," he said.

As for auto inventories, Dong said they remain within normal range, though the average stockpile period lengthened to 58 days in July from 55 days in June.

Based on June exports, China's total auto exports for this year will hit or even exceed the 2008 levels seen before the financial crisis, Dong forecast.