China auto sales growth slows to 9.7 percent in July as local brands outpaced by global rivals

China's auto sales decelerated further in July as global automakers outpaced local brands.

The China Association of Automobile Manufacturers said Friday that sales rose 9.7 percent to 1.3 million vehicles. That was down from June's 11.5 percent growth and May's 13.9 percent.

Total sales in the world's biggest auto market rose 6.7 percent over a year earlier to 1.6 million vehicles.

Global automakers see China as a major source of growth now and in the future and are spending heavily to develop models for local tastes. That is squeezing China's fledgling auto brands, which are growing but steadily losing market share to foreign rivals.

The CAAM said sales by Chinese brands rose 7.7 percent in July while those of German, Japanese, U.S. and Korean rivals all rose by double digits.