China auto sales mark first gain in nearly 2 years as restrictions ease

China’s monthly auto sales increased for the first time in nearly two years in April, industry data revealed, as more customers visited showrooms after the economy started to open up and officials eased coronavirus-related travel restrictions.

Auto sales in April hit 2.07 million units in the country, increasing 4.4% from a year earlier according the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM), the country’s largest auto industry association.

This came after a 43% decline in March and a sharper 79% decline in February as the spread of the coronavirus pandemic reduced auto demand. Monthly auto sales in China last increased in June 2018.

The number of new energy vehicles (NEVs) sold dropped for a tenth straight month to 72,000 units, the data revealed. NEVs consists of battery-powered electric, plug-in hybrid and hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles.

The global auto industry has been also impacted by the health crisis, but there is increasing optimism of improvement in business in China as the country has reportedly contained most of the outbreak and started easing lockdown restrictions.

Volkswagen reported positive sales in China in April, while Ford’s ventures saw 38.3% year-on-year growth in the same month in the country.