BEIJING--The growth rate of China's auto sales and output slowed down in the first half year, China's auto maker association said on Friday.

Auto output in the first six months hit 9.16 million, up 2.48 percent from the previous year, said the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM).

Sales topped 9.32 million in the first six months, up 3.35 percent from the previous year, but the growth rate was 29 percentage points lower year-on-year, the CAAM said.