China has replaced Japan as the world's second biggest auto market for the first time last year when strong buying pushed sales soaring over 25 percent year on year.

Chinese auto makers sold 7.21 million vehicles in 2006, versus 5.75 million units from a year earlier, according to China Association of Automobile Manufacturers. Vehicle output also jumped 27.32 percent to 7.28 million units over the previous year.　　

China, which has a vehicle population of 40 units for every 1,000 people, ranked No. 2 in new car sales last year globally, compared with 5.72 million vehicles sold in Japan. The United States was top with 16.6 million vehicles sold last year. It is estimated that the speed might be moderated this year for a short period of adjustment. Total vehicle sales will climb around 20 percent to exceed 8.1 million units, including six million passenger cars.

Sales of passenger cars including sedans, sport utility vehicles and multi purpose vehicles, powered 30 percent to 5.17 million units - the driving force behind the growth as economic growth made automobiles more affordable for the average person.

Home-grown models assembled by domestic car makers including Chery Automobile Co Ltd, Geely Holding Group as well as Brilliance Automobile Co Ltd, also contributed to the booming sales. The market share of self-branded models accounted for 41 percent, or 2.14 million units, of the total passenger car sales last year.

Shanghai Automotive Industry Corp was the biggest Chinese vehicle seller with 33 percent acceleration in sales to 1.22 million units, followed by First Automobile Works and Dong Feng Motor Corp.

Source:未知