Both the U.S.-based General Motors (GM) and Germany's Volkswagen saw record auto sales in China in the first half of this year, China Business News reported on Monday.

GM sold 453,832 cars, up 47 percent from the same period last year, while Volkswagen sold 345,375 cars, up 30.2 percent.

GM, with the fastest growing sales in China, also accelerated its auto finance services, providing wholesale credit loan services to 301 dealerships, and retail loan services to 276 of its own dealers.

Volkswagen occupied the biggest share of China's auto market at 17.1 percent, the newspaper said.

China's auto sales rose 26.71 percent in the first half to reach 3.53 million, according to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers.

Industry analysts said the growth may slow in the second half as stocks of some manufacturers are building.

Source: Xinhua