(Yicai Global) May 11 -- China’s auto production and sales were both roughly 1.2 million last month, the lowest figures for the month of April in 10 years, according to the latest data from the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers.

Auto output slumped 46 percent from a year earlier to 1.21 million units in April, while sales plunged almost 48 percent to 1.18 million, CAAM data showed today.

But while the numbers for traditional cars took a hit from the return of Covid-19 in China, output and sales of new energy vehicles jumped from a year earlier. Some 312,000 NEVs were made and 299,000 sold, representing gains of 44 percent and nearly 45 percent.

There are signs of improvement for the industry, the CAAM said, adding that automakers hope to use this and next month to make up lost ground. The situation will gradually stabilize, according to the association.

In the four months through April, China produced 7.69 million vehicles and sold 7.691 million, down 10.5 percent and 12.1 percent from the same period last year. About 1.6 million NEVs were made and about 1.56 million sold, both up 110 percent.

China exported 141,000 cars last month, down 6.6 percent from a year ago, and 723,000 units from January to last month, up more than 39 percent on the year.

Auto production sank 46 percent in April from March, and sales fell 47 percent. NEVs also hit a snag, with output falling 33 percent, sales dropping 38 percent, and exports dipping 17 percent.

Editor: Tom Litting