Tough times ahead for auto sector

The automotive market is almost certain to see an annual decline this year, the first in 28 years, and the bleak prospects are unlikely to change in the next two or three years, officials from the country's leading industry association said on Tuesday.

Vehicle sales in November fell 13.86 percent year-on-year to 2.55 million, the fifth consecutive month of decline, according to statistics released by the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers.

Total vehicle sales in the first 11 months stood at 25.42 million, a decline of 1.65 percent year-on-year.