China’s vehicle exports reached 340,000 units in 2006, of which 90,000 were passenger cars.

The total compared with 173,000 vehicles exported from China in 2005, which itself represented 120% growth compared with 2004’s 78,000 units.

The figure remains a small proportion of the over seven million vehicles produced in China last year, when the country overtook Germany as the world’s third-largest vehicle producer.

The Chinese Ministry of Commerce has indicated that total automotive exports, including built-up vehicles and parts, should reach a value of $120 billion (£61.2 billion) in 10 years’ time – which compares with $10.9 billion (£5.6 billion) in 2005.