GM’s Auto Sales in China Top US for First Time

General Motors' first-half sales in China, the world's biggest auto market, exceeded sales in its home U.S. market for the first time, according to data released on Friday.

GM's China auto sales jumped 48.5 percent to 1.21 million units in January through June, compared with the 1.08 million light vehicles it delivered in the U.S. over the same period, company data showed.

China overtook the U.S. as the world's top auto market in 2009, helped by government incentives and a 4 trillion yuan ($590 billion) economic stimulus package.

GM's June China auto sales rose 23.2 percent to 176,486 units.

Sales of Shanghai GM, the Detroit automaker's flagship car venture with SAIC Motor, came to 71,782 units, up 18.9 percent on a year earlier.

Sales of Wuling brand mini vehicles sold 362,000 cars in the country in the first six months, up 27 percent.

Its June sales climbed a more modest 8 percent to 61,000 cars, after labor disputes at a parts supplier interrupted production.