China car sales mark first rise in 22 months, but virus to still slam 2020

SHANGHAI (Reuters) - China's monthly auto sales rose for the first time in almost two years as the country eased virus-related curbs and reopened for business, but the annual number will likely be slashed by up to 25% if the pandemic continues, an industry body cautioned. The sales data for April and the gloomy outlook underline the challenges being faced by the world's biggest auto market as it struggles to emerge from a prolonged slump in demand, which was first exacerbated by the trade war..