China exported 34,506 sedans in the first half of the year - more than for the whole of 2005 - a whacking 259.5 percent increase year on year.

According to figures provided by the Automobile Branch of China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Machinery and Electrical products (CCCME), China''s auto exports have grown rapidly for the last three years.

Sedan exports now account for 27.5 percent of China''s total automobile exports, the Xinhua-run China Securities News reported Wednesday.

China''s sedan exports for the first semester were worth 243 million U.S. dollars, up 250.3 percent year on year, and making up 19.4 percent of total auto export value.

In 2005, China exported 31,124 sedans worth 271 million U.S.dollars.

China now exports more cars than it imports. However, the average unit price of China''s auto exports is significantly lower than the price of the autos it imports. Consequently, total auto export volume is still way below import volume. - China Daily