China's car sales maintained their growth pace in 2024 as sales of electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids in the world's largest auto market hit a record high amid a brutal price war and with subsidised trade-ins for greener vehicles driving purchases.

China has renewed a trade-in subsidy of up to 20,000 yuan ($2,730) to help underpin sales of fuel-efficient vehicles, including electric cars and hybrids.

China's exports of electric cars are unlikely to grow further this year, according to a Chinese association. Chinese car exports are expected to increase by 10% overall, said Cui Dongshu, secretary general of the industry association CPCA.

China's car sales in December rose 12.2% from a year earlier, the fourth consecutive monthly gain, data from the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA) showed on Thursday. Sales totalled 2.66 million units last month and were up 5.