China Auto Sales Post Biggest Drop in 7 Years as Growth Engine Stalls

China Auto Sales Post Biggest Drop in 7 Years as Growth Engine Stalls
A delivery driver rides his electric vehicle past Chinese and foreign car dealerships in Beijing, on Oct. 11, 2018. Thomas Peter/Reuters
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BEIJING—China’s car sales fell the most in nearly seven years in September, stoking concerns the world’s biggest auto market could contract for the first time in decades this year amid cooling economic growth and a biting trade war.

Vehicle sales slumped by 11.6 percent to 2.39 million units last month, the third straight decline, the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM) said on Oct. 12. It cited a sluggish economy, deleveraging and a tough pollution crackdown as reasons for the steep fall.