Chinese auto sales surpass the U.S. in first half of 2009

According to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers, Chinese auto sales in June, including buses and trucks, increased 36 percent from a year ago -- checking in at 1.14 million, second only to April's 1.15 million.

In June, Chinese motorists purchased 872,900 cars, SUVs, and other passenger vehicles -- which was an increase of 48 percent in the light vehicle category. Total sales for the first half of the year increased 6.1 million, up 17.7 percent from a year ago. In the United States, passenger car sales during the same period dropped to 4.8 million, thanks to the economic climate.