China auto sales off 22.4% in first half of 2020

BEIJING (AP) — An industry group reports China’s auto sales rose 1.8% in June over a year earlier but were down by double digits for the first half of 2020 after the country shut down to fight the coronavirus. The China Association of Auto Manufacturers says sales of SUVs, sedans and minivans in the industry’s biggest global market rose to 1.8 million. That was down from May’s 7% gain but a rebound from February’s record 81.7% plunge after dealerships and other busi