World auto sales chart: Europe and China fighting tooth and nail for top spot

(egd)

Europe barely edged China in total September car sales among the world's major car markets, but it seems China will be declaring themselves number one when the year is through.

At 9.66 million autos China is now the world leader in total car sales for this year, according to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers, thanks to their first ever month of more than 1 million sales.

Government incentive programs continue to drive European sales into the black while the ending of the "cash for clunkers" program in the US resulted in significantly fewer car buyers in September.

Japan's car sales are up for the second straight month, following 13 consecutive months of decline.

Brazil's September was their best ever for car sales, but the ending of their government incentive program does not bode well for October's results.

The Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers credited the onset of several festivals and easing of borrowing costs for last month's strong sales.

Russia, which less than two years ago was tipped to surpass Germany as Europe's biggest car buyer, continued its woeful sales totals for 2009.

Worldwide Car Sales September 2009

Region	September 2009 Total Sales	% Change from September 2008
EU+3*	1,388,136	+6.6
China	1.33 million	+78.0
US	745,997	-22.7
Japan	321,137	+3.5
Brazil	308,718	+19.6
India	129,683	+21.0
Russia	117,981	-58.0

* EU+3 include the 27-member organization plus Iceland, Norway and Switzerland (except Cyprus and Malta, for which data was not available).

All data comes from national governments or a nation's authoritative union of automakers.